Systems and Methods for Redeeming Tickets for On-Line Lotteries and On-Line Games

ABSTRACT

An on-line lottery player can create a player account with a lottery operator and associate on-line lottery tickets with the player account. The player may access the player account and obtain results for the tickets. The player may select one or more winning tickets and create a prize redemption voucher for the selected tickets. Prizes won on all of the selected tickets can be redeemed by scanning or otherwise processing the prize redemption voucher at a ticket vending terminal. Similarly, a player may purchase on-line game tickets and redeem prizes won on the on-line game tickets using a prize redemption voucher.

FIELD

The present invention relates to on-line lotteries and on-line games.More particularly it relates to systems, apparatus and methods thatallow a player to redeem tickets for on-line lotteries and on-linegames.

BACKGROUND

Many governmentally operated or licensed authorities operate a lotteryin which a player is permitted to select a set of played numbers from alarger set of numbers. The lottery operators use a lottery computersystem to operate the lottery. The processes of purchasing tickets,checking tickets to determine if they have won a prize and redeemingprizes have various inconveniences. In particular, the process ofredeeming prizes requires players to present individual winning ticketsto ticket vendors to obtain prizes won by the tickets.

It is desirable to provide improved systems and methods for redeemingprizes for on-line lottery.

Similarly, some lottery operators offer on-line games in which playersselect several events from a list of events and predict the outcome ofthe events. If the player's predictions are correct (or otherwise meet acriteria set by the lottery operator), the player wins a prize. Theprocess of redeeming such prizes is also inconvenient.

It is also desirable to provide improved systems and methods forredeeming prizes for on-line games.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods forredeeming prizes for on-line lotteries or on-line games.

In one embodiment, a player establishes a player account with a lotteryoperator who operates an on-line lottery using a lottery computersystem. The player may purchase tickets for the on-line lottery andassociate the tickets with the player's account. The player may thenaccess the player's account using a player terminal and review thestatus of tickets associated with the player's account. The player mayselect unredeemed winning tickets associated with the player's accountand request a prize redemption voucher. A prize redemption voucherrecord is stored in the lottery computer system. The prize redemptionvoucher record has a prize redemption voucher code and includes a listof the selected winning tickets, associating the selected winningtickets with the prize redemption voucher. The player obtains a prizeredemption voucher that includes a machine readable version of the prizeredemption voucher code. The player may redeem all prizes for theselected winning tickets associated with the prize redemption vouchermay scanning the prize redemption voucher code on the prize redemptionvoucher at a ticket vending terminal. The ticket vending terminaltransmits the prize redemption voucher code to the lottery computersystem. The lottery computer system identifies each of the winningtickets associated with the prize redemption voucher as having beenredeemed and authorizes the ticket vending terminal to provide allprizes for the winning tickets to the player.

Another embodiment provides a lottery computer system that includes alottery database for recording ticket records relating to issued ticketsand prize redemption voucher records relating to prize redemptionvouchers, a ticket server for issuing tickets and authorizing theissuance and prizes, and a player account server for allowing players tocreate player accounts, providing a ticket checking service and forallowing players to create prize redemption vouchers. In the lotterydatabase, at least some of the ticket records relate to winning lotterytickets. Some of the winning tickets are associated with a player'saccount. The player account server is adapted to receive a redemptionvoucher request from the player wherein the prize redemption voucherrequest identifies one or more selected unredeemed winning ticketsassociated with the player's account. In response to the prizeredemption voucher request, the player account server is adapted tocreate a prize redemption voucher record having a prize redemptionvoucher code and identifying the selected winning tickets. The playeraccount server is adapted to provide the player with a version of theprize redemption voucher code that may be transmitted or otherwiseprovided to a ticket vending terminal. In some embodiments, the playerreceives a document that may be printed in paper form that includes aprinted machine readable version of the prize redemption voucher code.For example, in some embodiments the printed machine readable version ofthe prize redemption voucher code may be set in machine readablecharacters, a single or multi-dimensional bar code or other scannableform. In some embodiments, the player may receive a version of the prizeredemption voucher code that the player may display on the screen of aportable player terminal and which may be scanned at a ticket vendingterminal from the screen. In some embodiments, a portable playerterminal may be adapted to transmit the prize redemption voucher code toa ticket vending terminal in a radio frequency, optical or electronicsignal.

In response to receiving the ticket vending terminal code, the ticketvending terminal is adapted transmit the ticket purchase voucher code,or a version of it, to the ticket server. The ticket server, in responseto receiving the prize redemption voucher code, is adapted to identifythe selected unredeemed winning tickets as having been redeemed in thelottery database and to transmit a redemption confirmation message tothe ticket vending terminal. In response to the redemption confirmationmessage, the ticket vending terminal is, in the case of ticket vendoroperated ticket vending terminal, adapted to display an instruction toprovide the prizes associated with the selected winning tickets to theplayer, or, in the case of a player operated ticket vending terminal, toprovide the prizes associated with the selected winning tickets to theplayer.

Another embodiment provides a prize redemption voucher record in alottery database. The prize redemption voucher has a prize redemptionvoucher code and includes a reference to at least one unredeemed winningtickets associated with a player account.

Another embodiment provides a prize redemption voucher record having aprize redemption voucher code. The prize redemption voucher codeidentifies the prize redemption voucher in a lottery database, whereinthe prize redemption voucher is associated with at least one unredeemedwinning ticket.

The embodiments of the invention may be used to obtain prize redemptionvoucher associated with winning on-line lottery or on-line game tickets.In some embodiments, a player may be able to use a prize redemptionvoucher for both on-line lottery and on-line game tickets.

Additional aspects of the present invention are identified below in thedescription of several example embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Several exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed in detail with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for redeeming tickets;

FIGS. 2 to 5 illustrate example ticket purchase voucher creation screensand a ticket purchase vouchers according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6 a-c illustrates part of a lottery database according to theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of creating a playeraccount;

FIG. 8 illustrates a welcome web page of a player website of theembodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for creating and printing aticket purchase voucher;

FIG. 10 illustrates a ticket purchase voucher selection page of theplayer website;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a player to purchase aticket and for a lottery operator to correspondingly sell the ticket toa player;

FIG. 12 illustrates a ticket purchase voucher for purchasing multipletickets;

FIG. 13 illustrates another system for redeeming tickets;

FIG. 14 illustrates a player identification device and a selection slip;

FIG. 15 illustrates part of a lottery database of the embodiment of FIG.13;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a player to purchase aticket and for a lottery operator to correspondingly sell the ticket toa player using an account identification device;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method for updating draw recordsfor draws of on on-line lotteries and for checking on-line lotterytickets;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method for updating event recordsfor events in on-line games and for checking on-line game tickets;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method or providing an accountchecking service;

FIG. 20 illustrates a on-line lottery ticket summary report setting outinformation about a player's on-line lottery tickets and allowing theplayer to obtain a prize redemption voucher;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a method by which a player mayobtain a prize redemption voucher;

FIG. 22 illustrates an example prize redemption voucher; and

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a method by which a player may use aprize redemption voucher to redeem prizes for one or more winningtickets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the word “exemplary” refers to examples of various itemsand does not denote a preferred or necessary feature of any embodimentor of the invention.

A first example embodiment of the invention will be described withreference to several exemplary on-line lotteries and on-line games.

The first exemplary on-line lottery will be referred to as Lotto 7/47.In this on-line lottery, a lottery player selects a set of sevendifferent played numbers between 1 and 47 (inclusive of numbers 1 and47). The set of seven played numbers is referred to as a Lotto 7/47played number set. Subsequently, a lottery operator conducts a draw toselect a set of winning numbers consisting of seven different regularnumbers and a bonus number, also between 1 and 47. The bonus number isdifferent from all of the winning numbers. The player may win differentprizes if his played numbers match the winning numbers and/or the bonusnumber in various winning combinations, as follows:

Winning Combination Prize Won 7/7 regular numbers Grand Prize 6/7regular numbers and Second Prize bonus number 6/7 regular numbers ThirdPrize 5/7 regular numbers Fourth Prize 4/7 regular numbers Fifth Prize3/7 regular numbers and Sixth Prize bonus number 3/7 regular numbersFree ticket

Some of the prizes a player may win in this exemplary on-line lotteryare shared prizes. Shared prizes are calculated by first determining atotal prize amount for a particular winning combination and thendividing the total prize value by the number of tickets that have thewinning combination to determine what share of the total prize amounteach ticket will win. The Grand Prize is a shared prize and the totalprize value for the Grand Prize is determined by the lottery operatorprior to each draw of the on-line lottery. For example, if the totalprize value for the Grand Prize is $10 million and 4 tickets have the7/7 regular numbers winning combination, then each ticket wins $2.5million. Some shared prizes may be pari-mutuel prizes, for which thetotal prize amount may be determined as a portion of the ticket salesrevenue for the on-line lottery. The second, third, fourth, fifth andsixth prizes are pari-mutuel prizes. One of the prizes is a fixed prizewith the same prize being awarded for each ticket having the specifiedwinning combination. The free ticket prize for the 3/7 regular numberswinning combination is a fixed prize. The present invention may be usedwith on-line lotteries and games having any type or any combination oftypes of prizes.

For the purpose of this exemplary embodiment of the invention, thelottery operator conducts a draw of the Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery eachweek on Friday at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

The second exemplary on-line lottery will be referred to as Tag. In thison-line lottery, a six digit played number is automatically selected forthe lottery player. The played number may be referred to as a Tag playednumber. The single six digit played number is a played number set forthe Tag on-line lottery and may also be referred to as a Tag playednumber set. Subsequently, the lottery operator selects a six digitwinning number for the Tag on-line lottery. The winning number may bereferred to as a Tag winning number or a Tag winning number set. Theplayer may win different prizes if various winning combinations ofdigits in his played number match corresponding digits in the winningnumber, as follows:

Winning combination Prize Won All six digits $250,000 Last five digits$1,000 Last four digits $100 Last three digits $25 First digit and lastdigit $5 First digit Free play of host on- line lottery with Tag Lastdigit Free play of host on- line lottery with Tag

This exemplary Tag on-line lottery may only be played in conjunctionwith another on-line lottery, such as the Lotto 7/47 on-line lotterydescribed above. The Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery is referred to as a hoston-line lottery and the Tag on-line lottery is referred to as anassociated on-line lottery. A player may request that one or more Tagplayed number sets be added to a ticket for the Lotto 7/47 on-linelottery. On draw dates for the Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery, the lotteryoperator draws a winning number set for the host Lotto 7/47 and alsodraws a winning number for the associated Tag on-line lottery.

The prize for matching the first or the last digit of the Tag winningnumber is a free play of the host on-line lottery in the next draw afterthe ticket is redeemed, including a free played number for the Tagon-line lottery draw on the same date. Players who elect to play the Tagon-line lottery on a ticket may win a prize in the Lotto 7/47 on-linelottery, the Tag on-line lottery or in both on-line lotteries.

The third exemplary on-line lottery will be referred to as Keno. In thison-line lottery, a lottery player is asked to select a play categorybetween two and ten. If the player chooses play category two, he thenchooses a set of two different played numbers between 1 and 70(inclusive of numbers 1 and 70). Similarly, if the player chooses playcategory ten, the player chooses a set of ten different played numbersbetween 1 and 70. Similarly, if the player chooses any of playcategories three to nine, the player chooses a corresponding amount ofdifferent played numbers between 1 and 70. The player's set of playednumbers is referred to as a Keno played number set. Subsequently, thelottery operator conducts a draw to select a winning number setconsisting of 20 different winning numbers between 1 and 70. The playermay win a prize depending on the play category chosen and how many ofthe played numbers match the winning numbers. Various winningcombinations are defined as follows:

Play Category (played numbers Winning in set) combination Wagermultiplier 2 2 of 20 7 3 3 of 20 25 4 4 of 20 100 5 5 of 20 250 4 of 205 6 6 of 20 1,000 5 of 20 25 7 7 of 20 5,000 6 of 20 50 5 of 20 5 8 8 of20 25,000 7 of 20 200 6 of 20 10 9 9 of 20 50,000 8 of 20 1,000 7 of 20100 6 of 20 5 10 10 of 20  250,000 9 of 20 5,000 8 of 20 200 7 of 20 250 of 20 2

It the player's played number set includes a winning combination, theplayer is awarded a prize equal to the amount wagered by the player forthe set of played numbers multiplied by the wager multiplier. Forexample, a player who chooses play category seven will choose a set ofseven different played numbers between 1 and 70. In this exemplary Kenoon-line lottery, the player may wager from $1, $2, $5 or $10 for eachset of played numbers. If the seven played numbers match seven of thetwenty winning numbers, the player wins 5,000 times the amount wagered.

For the purpose of this example, the lottery operator conducts a draw ofthe Keno on-line lottery every day at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

The Keno on-line lottery is not a host lottery for the Tag on-linelottery. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the Keno on-linelottery could also be a host lottery for the Tag on-line lottery.

A played number set or played number for an on-line lottery thatincludes a winning combination may be referred to as a winning playednumber set or as a winning played number. A ticket that includes atleast one winning played number set or winning played number may bereferred to as a winning on-line lottery ticket, a winning lotteryticket or more generally as a winning ticket.

Two exemplary on-line games used in this description of exemplaryembodiments of the invention will be referred to as Sports Line andOver/Under. In these exemplary on-line games, each week the lotteryoperator identifies a number of sporting events and sets various oddscorresponding to various possible outcomes of the events. For example,part of a list of odds may include the following events andcorresponding odds for the Sports Line and the Over/Under on-line games:

LIST 8845 (November 11-Nov. 17, 2005) Teams Sports Line Over/Under EventTime Visitor Home V T H O # U Saturday Nov. 12, 2005 College Football 1712:00 p  Texas A&M Oklahoma 5.2 4.0 1.2 1.7 36.5 1.7 18 12:00 p Maryland North Carolina 2.6 3.0 2.0 1.7 37.5 1.7 23 2:00 p KentuckyVanderbilt 5.0 3.9 1.3 1.7 33.5 1.7 30 6:00 p Washington Arizona 5.2 4.01.2 1.7 36.5 1.7 NHL Hockey 44 1:00 p Washington New Jersey 2.2 6.5 1.51.7 6.5 1.7 45 7:00 p Toronto Montreal 2.0 6.0 1.6 1.7 5.5 1.7 SundayNov. 13, 2005 NFL Football 56 1:00 p Kansas City Buffalo 2.4 2.8 2.3 1.743.5 1.7 57 1:00 p San Chicago 5.2 4.0 1.2 1.7 44.5 1.7 Francisco 609:00 p Dallas Philadelphia 2.5 2.9 2.1 1.7 43.5 1.7 NHL Hockey 87 8:00 pDallas Anaheim 1.7 6.0 1.9 1.7 5.5 1.7 88 10:00 p  Detroit Vancouver 1.96.0 2.0 1.8 5.5 1.6

The list of events may be referred to herein as an event list. The oddsfor the Sports Line on-line game are set out under the three columnslabeled “V”, “T” and “H” under the heading “Sports Line”. For eachevent, three possible outcomes may occur: “V” means that the visitingteam wins the event; “T” means that the two teams will tie and “H” meansthat the home team will win the event. The definition of a win or tie isset by the lottery operator and may not match the rules used in theactual event. For example, in this exemplary Sports Line on-line game,for NFL football games the lottery operator has defined a tie as theteams having three or fewer points separating them in the final score.For some events, a tie may not be defined—such as for baseball games,where the rules do not provide for tie games. The odds indicate thelottery operator's estimate of how likely each outcome is. A highervalue indicates that the lottery operator believes the outcome is lesslikely to occur.

In this exemplary Sports Line on-line game, the lottery operator hasspecified that a player may make a bet by selecting between three andsix events and specifying a wager amount. If the player correctlypredicts the outcome of all of the selected events, the player wins thebet and wins a prize. The predictions made by the player arecollectively referred to as a Sports Line prediction set.

A payout value for the Sports Line prediction set is calculated bymultiplying the player's wager by the odds for all of the predictedoutcomes. For example, if a player wagers $5 and predicts that Syracusewill beat Pittsburgh in event 12, Nashville will beat Colorado in event33 and that Dallas will tie Tampa Bay in event 43, then the payout valueis $5×4.0×3.0×1.2=$72. If the player successfully predicts the outcomeof all three games, the player receives the payout value as his or herprize.

The odds for the Over/Under on-line game are set out under the threecolumns marked “O”, “#” and “U”. The value in the “#” column indicatesthe threshold number of points. A player may predict that the combinedscores of the teams in each event will be over this threshold number ofpoints or under it. The outcome of the event is “Over” if the totalpoints scored by the teams is over the threshold. The outcome of theevent is “Under” if the total points scored by the teams is under thethreshold. For example, in event 32, a player who wishes to make a betusing the over/under odds for this event may bet that Washington andToronto will score over or under 5.5 goals in their hockey game. In thisexemplary Over/Under on-line game, the player makes a bet by selectingbetween two and six events and predicting whether the outcome will beOver or Under the threshold in each event. The player also selects awager amount for the bet. The predictions made by the player arecollectively referred to as an Over/Under prediction set. A payout valuefor the Over/Under prediction set is determined by multiplying theplayer's wager by the odds of the all of the predicted outcomes. Theplayer wins the bet and is entitled to receive the payout value if allof the player's predictions are correct.

In event list 8845, each event is shown with odds for the Sports Lineon-line game and for the Over/Under on-line game. In this example, thetwo on-line games are separate and a lottery operator may optionally usedifferent selection slips to allow players to make bets in the differenton-line games. Alternatively, a single selection slip allowing bets tobe made on either or both of the on-line games may be used. In anotheron-line game, players could be permitted to make bets that have bothSports Line and Over/Under outcomes selected.

In this example system 100, the lottery operator provides event lists ona weekly basis. In other embodiments, the lottery operator may provideevent lists which have time periods that overlap with other event lists,or may provide events lists that have some events in common. In otherembodiments, the lottery operator may not divide events into lists andmay simply having single event list. In embodiments in which playerswill be permitted to purchase on-line game tickets using selection slipsin addition to using the systems, apparatus and methods disclosedherein, the lottery operator will typically identify events as part ofan event list to permit the event list to be identified on a selectionslip.

An on-line game ticket on which a player has won his or her bet may bereferred to as a winning on-line game ticket, a winning game ticket ormore generally as a winning ticket. In both the Sports Line andOver/Under on-line games described above, all of the predictions made bya player in the prediction set must be correct for the player to win thebet. In other embodiments, an on-line game ticket will be a winningon-line game ticket as long as the prediction set on the ticket (or atleast one of the prediction sets, if multiple predictions sets arepermitted on a single ticket) matches the appropriate correspondingcriteria set by the lottery operator.

In system 100, a player establishes a player account with the lotteryoperator. The player then purchases tickets, which are associated withthe player's account as they are purchased. Several methods forpurchasing tickets and associating the tickets with a player account aredescribed below. The invention is not limited to any particular methodof buying tickets and associating the tickets with a player account andmethods other than those described here may be used to do so.

In one method of buying a ticket and associating it with a player'saccount, the obtains a ticket purchase voucher using a player terminal.The ticket purchase voucher encodes information related to a proposedticket. The player then presents the ticket purchase voucher to a ticketvendor, who uses the ticket purchase voucher to sell a ticketcorresponding to the proposed ticket to the player. The player receivesa ticket receipt setting out information about the ticket. In someembodiments, the player may be able to use the ticket purchase voucherto purchase the ticket at a player operated ticket vending terminal.

Players may also use a player terminal to obtain a prize redemptionvoucher that corresponds to one or more winning tickets associated withthe player's account. The player presents the prize redemption voucherto a ticket vendor. The ticket vendor validates the prize redemptionvoucher using a ticket vending terminal and gives the player the prizeswon on all of the winning tickets corresponding to the prize redemptionvoucher.

The lottery operator operates a lottery computer system. In the presentembodiment, the lottery computer system includes a player accountserver. A lottery player uses a player terminal to access the playeraccount server and to create a player account. Each player account hasan account identification code or user name. The account identificationcode for each account is unique (with respect to the accountidentification code for all other player accounts created in theparticular embodiment) and may consist of any combination or permutationof letters or numerals. In this description of the first exampleembodiment, several exemplary player accounts will be described. Theaccount identification codes for these exemplary player accounts includeKARINA1022, BRIAN237 and SAMANTHA.

In any particular embodiment, a lottery operator may impose requirementson the account identification codes that players may use. For example, alottery operator may set a minimum or maximum number of characters foran account identification code. In the present embodiment, an accountidentification code may include the same character (i.e. the same letteror numeral) more than once.

In other embodiments, the lottery operator may require that eachcharacter in an account identification code be different from the othercharacters in an account identification code. This requirement may beimposed in the lottery operator also permits players to purchase ticketsusing a selection slip with an account identification region, as isdescribed in PCT patent application No. PCT/CA2006/000270, InternationalPublication Number WO 2006/092039A1.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 that includes a lottery computer system102, ticket vending terminals 104 and player terminals 106. A systemaccording to the present embodiment will include at least one ticketvending terminal 104 and at least one player terminal 106.

The lottery computer system 102 is operated by a lottery operator (notshown), who may operate various types of on-line lotteries and on-linegames, including the exemplary on-line lotteries and on-line gamesdescribed above and other on-line lotteries or on-line games.

Some of the ticket vending terminals 104 are operated by ticket vendors(not shown). Some ticket vending terminals 104 may also be playeroperated terminals, which a player may use without the assistance of aticket vendor. The description below is generally set out in terms ofticket vending terminals that are operated by ticket vendors. A playeroperated ticket vending terminal may be used in a manner similar to aticket vendor operated ticket vending terminal.

Each ticket vending terminal 104 is coupled, or is capable of beingcoupled, to the lottery computer system 102 to permit data communicationbetween the ticket vending terminal 104 and the lottery computer system102. Some of the ticket vending terminals 104 may be coupled to thelottery computer system 102 through a private communication network 108.The private communication network 108 may be a wide area network (WAN),a private data communication network comprising proprietary (owned,rented or leased) data lines or any other type of data network. Theprivate communications network 108 may be a combination of two or moreof these and other types of data communication networks. Ticket vendingterminals 104 b and 104 c are coupled to the lottery computer system 102through private communication network 108.

Some or all of the ticket vending terminals 104 may be coupled to thelottery computer system 102 through dial-up telephone connections oranother type of point-to-point connection that permits datacommunication between the lottery computer system 102 and the ticketvending terminal 104. For example, ticket vending terminal 104 a iscoupled to the lottery computer system 102 through a dial-up telephoneconnection 109, which may be maintained at all times or may beestablished when required to allow data communication between ticketvending terminal 104 c and lottery computer system 102.

Some or all of the ticket vending terminals 104 may be coupled to thelottery computer system 102 through a publicly accessible communicationsnetwork (a “public network”), such as the Internet. For example, ticketvending terminal 104 d is coupled to the lottery computer system 102through public network 110. Ticket vending terminals 104 coupled to thelottery computer system 102 through the public network 110 may becoupled using a virtual private network or another secure communicationsprotocol or methodology.

The connections between the lottery computer system 102 and the variousticket vending terminals 104 need not be the same. Different connectionsmay be made using different types of data communications networks andlines. A ticket vending terminal 104 may be coupled, or may be capableof being coupled, to the lottery computer system 102 in more than oneway, to provide an alternative method of communication if a primarymethod has failed or is unavailable.

The connection between lottery computer system 102 and any particularticket vending terminal 104 may be persistent or it may be madeintermittently as required for data communication between the lotterycomputer system 102 and the ticket vending terminal 104. If the couplingincludes a publicly accessible network, such as the Internet,communications between the lottery computer system 102 and any of theticket vending terminals 104 may be secured using an encryption systemor other security technique. A security technique or mechanism mayoptionally be used to secure all communications between the lotterycomputer system 102 and any ticket vending terminal 104, regardless ofthe type of connection between the lottery computer system 102 and theticket vending terminal 104.

The ticket vending terminals 104 are used to sell tickets and provideticket receipts to players. Each ticket vending terminal 104 (or atleast some of the ticket vending terminals 104) includes a scanner orscanning device capable of reading or scanning machine readableinformation from a ticket purchase voucher. The sale of tickets toplayers is further described below.

Lottery computer system 102 may be coupled to some or all of the playerterminals 106 through public network 110. Some player terminals 106 mayalso be coupled to the lottery computer system 102 directly (forexample, using a dial-Lip connection) or through another network. Eachof the player terminals 106 is capable of communicating with lotterycomputer system 102 and typically includes several output devices suchas a display screen and a printer. Each player terminal 106 includes aprinter that can be used to print a ticket purchase voucher or a prizeredemption voucher. In addition, each player terminal includes one ormore input devices (such as a keypad, keyboard, computer mouse or remotecontrol device). A player terminal 106 may be any type of device that iscapable of being coupled to and communicating with the lottery computersystem 102. For example, different player terminals 106 may be personalcomputers, Internet-enabled television sets, Internet-enabledset-top-boxes used with cable, satellite or other digital communicationsystems, portable wireless communications devices such as personal dataassistant (PDA) devices, cellular phones and wireless portablecomputers.

When system 100 is in operation, a player uses a player terminal 106 toaccess a ticket purchase voucher creation page 112 (FIG. 2) accessibleon the lottery operator's website. The player uses the ticket purchasevoucher creation page 112 to obtain a ticket purchase voucher 113. Theticket purchase voucher 113 includes a ticket purchase voucher code 136(FIG. 2) on it in a machine-readable format, such as a bar code. Theplayer then presents the ticket purchase voucher to a ticket vendor whooperates a ticket vending terminal 104. The ticket vendor uses theticket vending terminal 104 to process the ticket purchase voucher 113and to issue a ticket receipt 114 to the player. In some embodiments,the player may also be able to use a ticket purchase voucher 113 topurchase tickets at a player operated ticket vending terminal 104.

A player may also use a player terminal 106 to select one or morewinning tickets associated with the player's account and obtain a prizeredemption voucher 133 corresponding to the selected winning tickets.The player then presents the prize redemption voucher to a ticket vendorwho operates a ticket vending terminal 104. The ticket vendor uses theticket vending terminal 104 to process the prize redemption voucher 133and gives the prizes 135 corresponding to the selected winning ticketsto the player. In some embodiments, a player may be able to use a prizeredemption voucher 133 at a player operated ticket vending terminal 104to obtain the prizes 135.

Reference is next made to FIG. 2, which illustrates a ticket purchasevoucher creation page 116 for the Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery, a ticketpurchase voucher 117 for the Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery and acorresponding ticket receipt 118.

Ticket purchase voucher creation pages 112 are web pages that areaccessible on the lottery operator's website. A lottery operator willprovide a ticket purchase creation page 112 for each on-line lottery (oron-line game) with which it uses the present invention. A lotteryoperator accesses the ticket purchase voucher creation pages 112 using aweb browser operating on the player's terminal 106. The player completesthe ticket purchase voucher creation page 112 and then uses it to createa ticket purchase voucher 113.

Lotto 7/47 ticket purchase voucher creation page 116 is displayed on adisplay screen (not shown) of player terminal 106 b, in the example ofFIG. 2. Lotto 7/47 ticket purchase voucher creation page 116 includesfour played number selection boards 121, 122, 123 and 124 in which aplayer may manually select up to four played number sets for a Lotto7/47 ticket. Ticket purchase voucher creation page 116 also has anauto-pick selection field 126 in which a player can select from zero toten additional automatically selected played number sets for the Lotto7/47 on-line lottery on the ticket. Ticket purchase voucher creationpage 116 also includes a tag selection field 128 in which a player mayselect from zero to ten automatically selected Tag played number setsfor the Tag on-line lottery associated with the Lotto 7/47 on-linelottery. Ticket purchase voucher creation page 116 also includes anadvance draw selection field 130 in which the player may choose from oneto ten draws for which the player wishes to purchase a ticket.

A player named Karina Jones, who's player account has the accountidentification code KARINA1022, has completed the Lotto 7/47 ticketpurchase voucher creation page 116 to manually select two played numbersets. The first played number set includes the played numbers 8, 12, 23,29, 32, 27 and 45. The second played number set includes the playednumbers 2, 18, 24, 28, 33, 39 and 42. The player has also chosen to add1 additional automatically selected Lotto 7/47 played number set, 2 Tagplayed number sets and to purchase a ticket for four draws.

Once the player has completed the ticket purchase voucher creation page,the player clicks the “Create Voucher” button 119 to create the ticketpurchase voucher 117. The process by which ticket purchase voucher 117is generated is described in greater detail below in relation to method3000. Ticket purchase voucher 117 is printed at player terminal 106 busing a printer attached to the player terminal 106 b

Ticket purchase voucher 117 includes a ticket information section 132and a ticket purchase voucher code section 134.

Various information about the ticket is set out in ticket informationsection 132, including the player account with which a ticket purchasedwith the ticket purchase voucher 117 will be associated, the playednumber sets selected for the ticket and other information. In thepresent example, ticket information section 132 includes informationthat a lottery operator may use to confirm the details of the playersselections for the ticket. The ticket information section need notcontain any specific information and is optional. Preferably, the ticketinformation section is provided and contains information that a lotteryplayer may use to understand the played numbers and other options forthe ticket that the ticket purchase voucher can be used to purchase.

The ticket purchase code section 134 includes a machine readable ticketpurchase voucher code 136 which encodes a ticket purchase voucher code.In this example, the ticket purchase voucher code is set out in a barcode. Alternatively, the ticket purchase voucher code 136 may be set outin the ticket purchase voucher code section 134 in any machine readableformat, such as optically scannable characters, single ormulti-dimensional bar codes or any other machine recognizable pattern orcharacter set.

The ticket purchase voucher code 136 for any particular ticket purchasevoucher is different from the ticket purchase voucher code for all otherticket purchase vouchers that are valid at the time the particularticket purchase voucher is issued. A ticket purchase voucher is valid ifit can be used to purchase a ticket for an on-line lottery or on-linegame. A ticket purchase voucher may be valid indefinitely or it mayexpire at a particular time, or when a specific event occurs or aspecific condition becomes true. Ticket purchase voucher 117 does notexpire. Karina Jones can use the ticket purchase voucher to purchase aticket for the next four draws of the Lotto 7/47 on-line lotterywhenever she chooses to purchase a ticket with the ticket purchasevoucher.

In any embodiment, a lottery operator may choose to make a voucher validfor a fixed time period, a fixed number of uses, or may set some otherexpiry rule for a ticket purchase voucher. A lottery operator may chooseto use any combination of expiry rules for the ticket purchase vouchersused with the lottery operator's on-line lottery and/or on-line games.For example, in another embodiment, the lottery operator may requirethat a ticket purchase voucher must be used within 1 week of beingprinted. In such an embodiment, the ticket purchase voucher mayoptionally set out the time at which the ticket purchase voucherexpires.

The ticket information section 132 of ticket purchase voucher 117includes the ticket purchase voucher code set out in human readableform. It is optional to print the ticket purchase voucher code in humanreadable form in the ticket information section 132.

FIG. 2 also illustrates a ticket receipt 118 that corresponds to theplayer's selections on the ticket purchase voucher creation page 116 andthe ticket purchase voucher 117. The exemplary ticket receipt 118includes the name 140 of the on-line lottery indicating that it is aticket for the Lotto 7/47 lottery, a date range 142 indicating that itis valid for four draws between Jun. 8, 2005 and Jun. 18, 2005. Atreference number 144, the ticket receipt 118 sets out the two Lotto 7/47played number sets manually chosen by the player and an automaticallyselected played number set chosen for the player by the lottery computersystem 102. The automatically selected Lotto 7/47 played number setconsists of the played numbers 12, 17, 21, 29, 32, 37 and 43. At 148,ticket receipt 118 sets out two Tag played numbers, 398587 and 957238,for the Tag on-line lottery and the word “Played” to indicate that theplayer has chosen to participate in the associated Tag on-line lottery.

At 156, the ticket receipt sets out Karina Jones' account identificationcode KARINA1022. Optionally, a ticket receipt may set out part of aplayer's account identification code or another datum related to theplayer such as the player's name.

Ticket receipt 118 also contains a human readable ticket code 150, whichin this example is a sixteen digit number set out in four sets of fourdigits: 5933-3748-0958-3924. A ticket code is assigned by the lotterycomputer system 102 to every ticket that is issued. In this exemplaryembodiment, the ticket code is printed on the ticket receipt 114 in ahuman-readable form. The ticket code is also set out in a machinereadable bar code 158, allowing the ticket code to be scanned by amachine, such as a ticket vending terminal 104. In alternativeembodiments, the ticket code may be set out in only a human readableform or a machine readable form. In alternative embodiment, a firstticket code for the ticket may be set out in human readable form and adifferent second ticket code for the ticket may be set out in machinereadable form.

Typically, the ticket code allows the ticket to be uniquely identifiedfrom all other tickets issued by the lottery operator, at least during aselected time period prior to the issuance of the ticket (for example,one year or five years). The lottery operator may select variousmechanisms for assigning ticket codes for tickets, including mechanismsthat encode information in the ticket code. Such encoded information mayinclude the particular on-line lottery or on-line game that the ticketis issued for, the draws the ticket is issued for and check digits thatcan be used to ensure the validity of the ticket code, the ticketreceipt 118 and the ticket.

Ticket receipt 118 includes a vendor terminal code 152. The vendorterminal code 152 identifies the ticket vending terminal 104 used toissue ticket receipt 114. Alternatively, the vendor terminal code 152may identify the ticket vendor who operates the ticket vending terminal,so that tickets issued at different ticket vending terminals operated bythe same ticket vendor have the same vendor terminal code. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, the vendor terminal code 152 uniquelyidentifies the specific ticket vending terminal 104 at which the ticketwas issued, and accordingly different ticket vending terminals operatedby the same ticket vendor are identified by different vendor terminalcodes. Other ticket receipts 114 according to the present invention maynot include a vendor terminal code.

Ticket receipt 118 includes a verification code 154. The verificationcode 154 may be used to verify the integrity of ticket receipt 114.Verification code 154 may be generated using a formula based on othercomponents of the ticket and other data (such as the date and time onwhich the ticket is issued) or it may be created for the ticketrandomly, pseudo-randomly (i.e. based on a seed value or other initialvalue), using a list of rotating values or verification codes, or usingany other formula or method. The verification code 154 may be used inthe place of, or in addition to, the use of check digits in the ticketcode 150. Other ticket receipts 114 according to the present inventionmay not include a verification code.

Reference is next made to FIG. 3, which illustrates a ticket purchasevoucher creation page 216 and a ticket purchase voucher 218 for the Kenoon-line lottery and a corresponding ticket receipt 218.

Ticket purchase voucher creation page 216 has four boards 221, 222, 223and 224. On each board, a player may enter up to ten played numbers thatform a played number set. In boards 221-224, a player manually types inthe played numbers that the player wishes to choose. This differs fromthe selection of played number on boards 121-124 (FIG. 2), in which aplayer was presented with a cell for each number that the player couldchoose as a played number. A lottery operator may choose to provideindividual cells for the different possible numbers in a player numberset or may allow a player to manually type in the numbers on any of itsticket purchase voucher creation pages. The player Karina Jones hasmanually selected two played number sets in boards 221 and 222.

Ticket purchase voucher creation page 216 includes an auto-pickselection field in which a player may choose a play category and wagerfor up to ten additional automatically selected played number sets.Optionally, a player may choose to purchase a ticket with onlyautomatically selected played number sets and may leave all of theboards 221-224 blank.

Ticket purchase voucher creation page 216 also includes an advance drawselection field 130.

Ticket purchase voucher 217 includes information about the player'sselections in a ticket information section 232 and a machine readableticket purchase voucher code in a ticket purchase voucher code section234.

Ticket receipt 218 sets out the details of a ticket purchase by theplayer using ticket purchase voucher 217. In this example, theautomatically selected played number set is identified as having beenautomatically selected for the player. 177 FIG. 4 illustrates anexemplary ticket purchase voucher creation page 316, a ticket purchasevoucher 317 and a corresponding ticket receipt 318 for the Sports Lineon-line game.

Ticket purchase voucher creation page 316 includes an event list 321. Inthis embodiment, event list 321 corresponds to the events listed abovein the description of the Sports Line on-line game. Event list 321identifies the various outcomes and odds for each event that a playermay select as part of a bet. To make a bet, a player selects from threeto six events and selects one outcome per event. The player selects theoutcomes by clicking the radio button beside the odds for the outcome.

Ticket purchase voucher creation page 316 also includes wager amountfield 322, in which a player can enter a wager for a bet. In thisembodiment a player may type in a wager amount of the player's choice.In other embodiments, the lottery operator may permit the player tochoose from a number of predetermined wager amounts. Optionally, thelottery operator may provide options for the predetermined wager amountsin the form of radio button selections, a drop down list or anothermechanism for limiting the player's choice of the wager amount. Thelottery operator may have a number of predetermined amounts and may alsoallow a player to choose a different wager than any of the predeterminedamounts.

Once a player has selected a bet by marking the player's predictedoutcomes and entering a wager, the player can obtain a ticket purchasevoucher 317 by clicking the “Create Voucher” button 119. Ticket purchasevoucher 317 includes information about the player's selections in aticket information section 332 and a machine readable ticket purchasevoucher code in a ticket purchase voucher code section 334. The playermust purchase a ticket prior to beginning of the earliest event on whichthe player's bet is based. In this example, the voucher states that thevoucher must be used before 11:45 am on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005. Ticketpurchase voucher 317 expires at that time.

Ticket receipt 318 sets out the player's Sports Line prediction set at344-347. At 349, ticket purchase voucher 317 set out the payout valuebased on the wager and the odds for the selected outcomes.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary ticket purchase voucher creation page416, a ticket purchase voucher 417 and a corresponding ticket receipt418 for the Over/Under on-line game.

Referring to FIG. 1, Lottery computer system 102 includes a lotterydatabase 160, a player account server 162 and a ticket server 164.

Lottery computer system 102 may be a single computer or may includevarious interconnected computers and other devices, includingcommunication and data storage devices. Lottery database 160, playeraccount server 162 and ticket server 164 may reside and operate on oneor more of the computers or related systems that comprise lotterycomputer system 102. For example, portions of the player account servermay operate on different computers which may be distributed across alarge or small geographic area. In some embodiments, portions of thelottery computer system may operated by the lottery operator indirectlythrough a third party.

Player account server 162 manages the creation of player accounts andthe creation of ticket purchase vouchers 113. Lottery players use playerterminals 106 to access player account server 162. Optionally,communications between the lottery computer system 102 and a playerterminal 106 may be secured using an encryption system or other securitytechnique. A player terminal 106 used by a player may be referred to asthe player's terminal.

Player account server 162 includes one or more player interfaces 166.Each player interface 166 facilitates communications between the playeraccount server 162 and one or more of the player terminals 106. In thepresent embodiment, player interface 166 a includes a player website 167a, which players may access by using a web browser operating on a playerterminal 106, such as a personal computer or any other web-enabledcomputing device. Player interface 166 a communicates with web browsersto receive information from the player terminals 106 and to transmitinformation to the player terminals 106. For example, player interface166 a receives information about new player accounts and creates acorresponding player account record 514 in the lottery database 160.This is further described below in relation to method 2100.

Player interface 166 a receives Ticket Purchase Voucher Requests 560from player terminals 106 and transmits ticket purchase vouchers 113 tothe player terminals allowing ticket purchase vouchers 113 to be printedat the player terminals. Ticket Purchase Voucher Requests 560 and thecreation of ticket purchase vouchers are further described below inrelation to method 3000.

Player interface 166 a also receives Prize Redemption Voucher Requests3220 from player terminals 106 and transmits prize redemption voucher133 allowing prize redemption vouchers 133 to be printed at the playerterminals. Prize Redemption Voucher Requests 3220 and the creation ofprize redemption vouchers are further described below in relation tomethod 3200 (FIG. 22).

Other player interfaces 166 may be configured to allow various types ofplayer terminals 106 to access the player account server to createplayer accounts or to obtain information relating to tickets associatedwith a player account. For example, other player interfaces 166 may beadapted to communicate with portable communication devices with smalldisplay screens such as portable digital assistant (PDA) devices orportable telephone devices. Other player interfaces 166 may be adaptedto communicate with computer programs executing on a player terminal 106and to control the display of information by such computer programs.

Lottery database 160 is used to store information about player accounts,draws of the on-line lotteries, events in the on-line games, ticketpurchase vouchers and about tickets issued by the lottery operator. Manydifferent data structures may be used to store information about playeraccounts, on-line lottery draws, on-line game events and tickets and thepresent invention is not limited to any particular data structure ordata structures for doing so. Several exemplary data structures forstoring such information will be described here. Skilled persons will beable to design different data structures to accommodate different typesof on-line lotteries and games and to accommodate different computers,other devices, operating systems and software that may be used as partof a lottery computer system.

FIGS. 6 a-6 c illustrate a portion of lottery database 160. Lotterydatabase 160 includes a player account table 502, on-line lottery drawtables 504, on-line lottery ticket tables 506, a ticket purchase vouchertable 570 and a prize redemption voucher table 574.

Referring to FIG. 6 a, player account table 502 includes a playeraccount record 514 for each player account. Ticket purchase vouchertable 570 includes a ticket purchase voucher record 572 for each ticketpurchase voucher 113. Prize redemption voucher table 574 includes aprize redemption voucher record 576 for each prize redemption voucher133.

Each player account record 514 contains information about one playeraccount Three player account records 514 are illustrated in FIG. 6 a.Player account table 502 also contains other player account records 514.In this exemplary embodiment, each player account record 514 includesthe following fields:

Field Information recorded in field Account ID The accountidentification code for the player Code account. Account A password thatthe player must provide to access Password information about ticketsassociated with the player account. The password may optionally bestored in an encrypted form. Name The player's name. Address Theplayer's address. Phone The player's phone number. Fax The player's faxnumber. E-mail The player's e-mail address. Birth Date The player'sbirth date. Sex The player's sex. Income The player's income range.Player Ticket This field contains a link or reference to each of theList tickets associated with the player account, allowing the tickets tobe identified. The reference to the tickets may be any mechanism foridentifying tickets. The reference may be direct (such as a list ofticket codes or ticket record identifiers) or indirect (such as apointer to or the name of a list, index or table containing ticket codesor ticket record identifiers). A ticket record identifier may identify aticket table 506 (FIG. 6b) or 510 (FIG. 6c) and a ticket record 524 or538 within the ticket table that relates to a particular ticketassociated with the player account. The structure of on-line lotteryticket records 524 and on-line game ticket records 538 is describedbelow. In this embodiment, this field contains a list of ticket codesfor each ticket associated with the player account. The on-line lotteryor on-line game for each ticket is also identified, to allow the ticketrecord for each ticket to be located in the appropriate ticket table 506or 510 (FIG. 6b). For on-line games, the event list is also identified.In another embodiment, the field may contain a list of ticket codeswithout grouping the ticket codes by on- line lottery or on-line game.The specific on-line lottery or on-line game and event list for whichthe ticket was issued may be determined by examining the ticket code(which may be coded to indicate the on-line lottery or on-line game forwhich the ticket is valid) or by searching the various ticket tables. Inother embodiments, this field may be omitted and the lottery ticketrecords for tickets associated with a player account may be identifiedby searching through lottery ticket records using the Associated PlayerAccount field in the lottery ticket records. Player Ticket This fieldcontains a link or reference to each of the Purchase ticket purchasevouchers associated with the player Voucher List account, allowing theticket purchase vouchers to be identified. Player Prize This fieldcontains a link or reference to each of the Redemption prize redemptionvouchers associated with the player Voucher List account.

A player creates a player account by accessing an account creationservice. Method 2100 (FIG. 7) set a method of creating an account.Referring briefly to FIG. 8, the player website 167 a (FIG. 1) includesa welcome web page. A player may access the account creation service byclicking on a “Create Account” button 604. As part of creating a playeraccount, a player selects an account identification code. In the presentembodiment, a player's account ID code may consist of any combination orpermutation of letter or numbers. Also, in the present embodiment, theorder of characters is sufficient to distinguish two accountidentification codes. The account identification code KARINA1022 isdistinct from the account identification code KARINA1202.

This is different from some of the concepts described for accountidentification codes in PCT patent application No. PCT/CA2006/000270. InPCT patent application No. PCT/CA2006/000270, some embodiments requireaccount identification codes that contain different sets of characters,regardless of the order in which a player might prefer to set out thecharacters, in order to be distinct. Such embodiments may optionallyhave a field to record the player's preferred order for the charactersin the player's account identification code. The present invention iscompatible with such embodiments and when the present invention iscombined with such an embodiment, player accounts may have an accountidentification code in which each of the characters is different fromthe others to permit the account identification code to be marked on aselection slip as is described in that PCT application.

Each player account has a password, which is stored in the Passwordfield in the player account record 514. The password may optionally bestored in an encrypted form.

Personal information about a player is stored in the Name, Address,Phone, Fax, E-mail, Birth Date, Sex and Income fields of the playeraccount record 514. A player may choose not to provide some of thisinformation, and the corresponding field may be left empty or omittedfrom a particular player account record 514, depending on the datastructure used to store a player account record. In any particularembodiment, the lottery operator may choose not to include some of thefields set out above. For example, a lottery operator that chooses topermit only anonymous player accounts may provide for only an Account IDCode field, an Account Password field, a Player Ticket List field, aPlayer Ticket Purchase Voucher List field and a Player Prize RedemptionVoucher List field in the player account records of that embodiment.

Returning to the present example system 100, an exemplary player accountrecord 514 for the account identification code KARINA1022 may containthe following information:

Field Information recorded in field Account ID Code KARINA1022 Account******** Password Name Karina Jones Address 123 Somestreet Rd Sometown,Somestate 84442 Phone (343)254-9348 Fax None E-mail karina@isp.comBirthdate Oct. 22, 1975 Sex Female Income $50,001-$75,000 Player TicketList Lotto 7/47 Tickets: 5933-2245-5896-5987 5933-3748-0985-39245933-7812-3256-6547 Keno Tickets: 5254-6789-5656-41565254-0258-9963-1912 Sports Line Tickets (List 8845): 1659-8761-6573-46571659-6204-2340-4826 Over/Under Tickets (List 8845): 3578-5698-1598-2584Over/Under Tickets (List 8846): 3576-1942-8572-9234 Player TicketV1653-564-5685-165 Purchase V1654-470-8329-332 Voucher ListV1655-237-8537-275 V1656-832-2434-742 Player Prize None RedemptionVoucher List

The Player Ticket List field in the player account record 514 for KarinaJones' player account includes a reference to an Over/Under ticket withthe ticket code 3576-1942-8572-9234. This ticket is valid for theOver/Under on-line game and is based on the events on event list 8846(not shown). Event list 8846 is similar to event list 8845 in that itsets out events for the Over/Under on-line game (and for the Sports Lineon-line game), but relates to a different time period (which may overlapwith the time period corresponding to event list 8845) and to eventsthat occur within that time period.

Referring to FIG. 6 c, lottery database 160 includes an event table anda ticket table for the Over/Under on-line game with data about eventsand tickets relating to event list 4524. In this embodiment, eventtables and ticket tables relating to different event lists are stored asseparate tables. In another embodiment, event records relating todifferent event lists may be combined in one table and ticket recordsrelating to different event lists may be combined in one table. In otherembodiments, events may not be divided into different event lists.

Each ticket purchase voucher record 572 in the ticket purchase vouchertable 570 corresponds to one ticket purchase voucher created by aplayer. In this embodiment, each voucher record 572 includes thefollowing fields and data:

Field Information recorded in field TP Voucher Code The ticket purchasevoucher code for the voucher. Player account ID The accountidentification code of the player account code with which the voucher isassociated. Ticket Type The identity of the on-line lottery or on-linegame for which a ticket will be issued with the voucher. Proposed TicketThis field contains information required to issue a Information ticketfor the on-line lottery or on-line game identified in the Ticket Typefield. In the case of a ticket purchase voucher for an on-line lottery,this field includes details about the ticket a player wishes to purchasewith the voucher. The details may include played number sets, the numberof automatically selected numbers requested, the number of draws thatfor which a ticket should be printed or other ticket information,depending on the rules of the on-line lottery. In the case of an on-linegame, this information may include a selection set, wager amounts,depending on the rules of the on-line games. The ticket information maybe recorded in one or more fields, depending on the informationrecorded.

In this embodiment, all voucher records are maintained in a singleticket purchase voucher table 570. In other embodiment, voucher recordsmay be kept in a different data structure. For example, voucher recordsfor different on-line lotteries and on-line games may be kept indifferent tables or in other types of data files.

The voucher records for ticket purchase vouchers 117, 217 and 317 havethe following contents:

Voucher 117:

Field Information recorded in field TP Voucher Code V1653-564-5685-165Player Account ID KARINA1022 Code Ticket Type Lotto 7/47 Proposed TicketBoard A: 8, 12, 23, 29, 32, 37, 45 Information Board B: 2, 18, 24, 28,33, 39, 42 Auto-Pick Numbers: 1 Tag: 2 Draws: 4

Voucher 217:

Field Information recorded in field TP Voucher Code V1655-237-8537-275Player Account ID KARINA1022 Code Ticket Type Keno Proposed Ticket Board1: 1, 2, 7, 9, 10, 16, 22; Wager: 2 Information Board 2: 12, 25, 27, 43,46, 49, 64, 66; Wager: 10 Auto-Pick 1: Play Category: 2, Wager5 Draws: 2

Voucher 317:

Field Information recorded in field TP Voucher Code V1654-470-8329-332Player account ID KARINA1022 code Ticket Type Sports Line ProposedTicket Event List 8845 Information Event 17: V win Event 18: H win Event45: V win Event 60: H win

Voucher 417:

Field Information recorded in field TP Voucher Code V1656-832-2434-742Player account ID KARINA1022 code Ticket Type Sports Line ProposedTicket Event List 8845 Information Event 56: Under Event 57: Over Event60: Over

FIG. 6 a illustrates the associations between the player account record514 for Karina Jones' player account and the ticket purchase voucherrecords 572 for her ticket purchase vouchers. Maintaining a list ofticket purchase vouchers associated with a player account within thecorresponding player account record 514 allows a player's ticketpurchase vouchers to be identified. A lottery operator may permit aplayer to save ticket purchase vouchers within the player's account andmay allow a player to modify a saved ticket purchase voucher, tore-print a ticket purchase voucher or to delete a save ticket purchasevoucher. In other embodiments, the player account record may not have aPlayer Ticket Purchase Voucher field and a player's ticket purchasevouchers may not be recorded in the corresponding player account record.In some embodiments, a player's ticket purchase vouchers may beidentified by searching through a ticket purchase voucher table forticket purchase voucher in which the player's account is identified.

Each prize redemption voucher record 576 in the prize redemption vouchertable 574 corresponds to one prize redemption voucher created by aplayer. In this embodiment, each prize redemption voucher record 576includes the following fields and data:

Field Information recorded in field PR Voucher Code A prize redemptionvoucher code for the prize redemption voucher. Player account ID Theaccount identification code for the player account code with which theprize redemption voucher is associated. Winning Ticket A list orreference to the winning tickets associated List with the prizeredemption voucher. Total Prize The total prize or prizes won by all ofthe winning tickets associated with the prize redemption voucher. Ifmore than of the associated winning tickets has won a cash prize, thetotal cash prize is recorded. Other prizes such as free tickets ormerchandise are also recorded.

An example prize redemption voucher record 577 may have the followingcontents:

Field Information recorded in field PR Voucher Code P9875-7829-83-29Player account ID KARINA1022 code Winning Ticket List5933-2245-5896-5987 5254-0258-9963-1912 Total Prize $20

FIG. 6 a also illustrates the associations between the player accountrecord 514 for Karina Jones' player account and prize redemption voucherrecords 577. The creation of prize redemption voucher record 577 isdescribed below in relation to method 3200. Maintaining a list of prizeredemption vouchers associated with a player account allows a player'sprize redemption vouchers to be identified. The lottery operator mayallow a player to modify or delete prize redemption vouchers or tore-print a prize redemption voucher. In other embodiments, a playeraccount record 514 may not have a Player Prize Redemption Voucher Listfield. In some embodiments, a player's prize redemption vouchers may beidentified by searching the prize redemption voucher table for prizeredemption voucher records in which the player's account is identified.

In the present embodiment, a player may optionally create an anonymousaccount, for which personal information that could identify the playeris not recorded. The Account ID Code, the Account Password, the PlayerTicket List fields and the Player Ticket Purchase Voucher List arerequired for the operation of a player account in this embodiment andthe information stored in these fields is required even for an anonymousaccount. However, a player may optionally not provide some or all of theinformation for the personal information fields described above. Aplayer may choose not to provide his name and address, but couldoptionally provide sex and income information to allow some demographicanalysis of lottery players. Alternatively, the player may not provideany personal information.

In an alternative embodiment, a lottery operator may designate somepersonal or other information as required information. For example, thelottery operator may require a lottery player to provide the player'sbirth date to allow the lottery operator to ensure that only players ofa certain age access the player account. Any combination of informationmay be designated as required information or optional information by alottery operator. The personal information fields described in relationto the present embodiment are only an example.

In another alternative embodiment, a lottery operator may choose not tocollect any personal information and may make all player accountsanonymous accounts. In such an embodiment, a player account record 514may comprise only an Account ID field, an Account Password field, aPlayer Ticket List field, a Player Ticket Purchase Voucher List fieldand a Player Prize Redemption Purchase Voucher List field.

In another embodiment, a lottery operator may not require a player toenter a password when accessing a player account. In such an embodiment,a player account record would not include an Account Password field.

Reference is next made to FIGS. 6 b and 6 c.

Each draw record 518 in the draw tables 504 contains information about adraw of an on-line lottery, such as the date of the draw, a draw number,winning numbers for the host on-line lottery and for any associatedon-line lottery and prize information for the host on-line lottery andany associated on-line lottery.

Each of the draw records 518 in Lotto 7/47 draw table 516 containsinformation about one draw of the Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery and thecorresponding draw of the associated Tag on-line lottery on the samedraw date. In this exemplary embodiment, a single draw record is used tomaintain information about both a host on-line lottery and itsassociated on-line lottery, since the two on-line lotteries shareinformation such as their draw date and since the tickets valid for theassociated on-line lottery are a subset of those valid for the hoston-line lottery. Alternatively, separate draw tables could be used forthe two on-line lotteries.

Six draw records 518 for draws between Nov. 11, 2005 and Dec. 16, 2005are illustrated in FIG. 6 a. In this exemplary embodiment, each drawrecord 518 in the Lotto 7/47 draw table includes the following fields:

Field Information recorded in field Draw ID An identifier for the draw.This may be a draw number, or any other type of identifier for the draw.This field is optional, especially if the date (or date and time) of thedraw, or another field such as a record number field, can be used touniquely identify the draw. In this exemplary embodiment, each draw isassigned a numerical draw number, in sequential order. Draw Date Thedate on which the draw is scheduled to be conducted. In anotherembodiment, this field may also include the time of the draw,particularly if more than one draw for the on-line lottery is conductedon a particular day. Lotto 7/47 The winning number set for this draw ofthe Lotto 7/47 Winning Number on-line lottery. Set Lotto 7/47 PrizeInformation about prizes for each winning Information combination forthis draw of the Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery. Tag Winning The winningnumber for the Tag associated on-line Number lottery. Tag PrizeInformation about prizes for each combination of Information winningnumbers for this draw of the Tag on-line lottery. Draw Ticket List Thisfield contains a link or reference to each of the tickets valid for thedraw, allowing the tickets valid for the draw to be identified. Thereference to the tickets may be any mechanism for identifying thetickets valid for the draw. The reference may be direct or indirect, asis described above in relation to the Player Ticket List field of theplayer account records 514. In the present embodiment, this field is apointer to an index that contains a reference to the lottery ticketrecords for all tickets that are valid for the draw. In FIG. 6a, thelink between the draw record 518 and lottery ticket records 524 fortickets valid for each draw is illustrated by lines connecting them.Lottery database 160 includes an index for each draw. The index includesa reference to each ticket that is valid for the draw. In anotherembodiment, this link may be omitted and the lottery tickets valid for adraw may be identified by searching the Valid Draw Dates field inlottery ticket records in the appropriate ticket table.

The Lotto 7/47 Winning Number Set and Tag Winning Number fields in adraw record 518 will not contain information about winning numbers untilafter the draws of the on-line lottery or lotteries have been conductedon the draw date and the winning numbers have been determined. If any ofthe prizes for the on-line lottery are determined based on the number ofwinners, as in the case of a shared prize, then the prize values willonly be known after the draw. If the prizes are pre-determined, as inthe case of the Tag on-line lottery, the relevant prize information maybe filled in when the draw record is created by the lottery operator.Where the prizes for an on-line lottery are the same for each draw (orfor a series of draws), the corresponding prize information may bestored elsewhere in the lottery database 160 (for example in a lotterytable (not shown), which may contain rules and other standardinformation about each on-line lottery, including any fixed or standardprizes). The corresponding prize information field may be omitted, ormay contain a reference to the corresponding information storedelsewhere. In the present exemplary embodiment, the Tag PrizeInformation field is completed after a draw to record the number ofwinners of each prize offered in the Tag on-line lottery. The actualvalue of the prizes is recorded separately from the draw record 518.This information may, for example, be stored in a Tag on-line lotteryinformation file or record (not shown) as another part of the lotterydatabase 160 and is available to the lottery computer system 102.

Records in the draw table for each lottery are created by the lotteryoperator to store relevant information about each draw. An exemplarydraw record 518 for the Nov. 18, 2005 draw of the Lotto 7/47 lotterycould have the following contents prior to the draw:

Field Information recorded in field Draw ID 1795 Draw Date Nov. 18, 2005Lotto 7/47 Unknown when the record is created Winning Number Set Lotto7/47 Prize Unknown when the record is created, since most InformationLotto 7/47 prizes are shared prizes. The fixed prize of a free ticketfor the winning combination of 3/7 regular numbers may be recorded here.Tag Winning Unknown when the record is created Number Tag Prize Link orreference to pre-determined Tag on-line Information lottery prizeinformation stored elsewhere in the lottery database 160. Draw TicketList Link or reference to an index of lottery ticket records for ticketsvalid for this draw. The index includes references to lottery ticketrecords for the following ticket codes: 5933-2245-5896-59875933-3748-0985-3924

Each on-line lottery ticket record 524 in the on-line lottery tickettables 506 contains information relating to a ticket issued for one ormore draws of the on-line lottery and any associated lottery. Severalticket records 524 are shown in each of the ticket tables 506. Eachticket table 506 also contains additional ticket records (not shown)corresponding to additional tickets for the on-line lottery. In thisexemplary embodiment, each lottery ticket record 524 includes thefollowing fields:

Field Information recorded in field Ticket Code The ticket code for theticket. Issue Date/Time The date and time at which the ticket was issuedby the lottery operator. Host On-line The played number sets selected bythe player, or Lottery Played automatically selected for the player, forthe host Number Sets lottery. Associated On- An indication of whetherthe Tag on-line lottery has line Lottery been played on this ticket, andif so, a list of the Tag Information played number sets. This field maycontain one or more Tag played number sets selected for the ticket, evenif the player elected not to play the Tag on-line lottery. Valid Draw Areference to the draws for which the ticket is valid. Dates In thepresent embodiment, the date or dates of the draws for which the ticketis valid are set out in this field. In another embodiment, this fieldmay contain a list of draw identifiers corresponding the Draw ID fieldin the draw records 518, the date of a draw or a list or range of datesof draws for which the ticket is valid. Vendor Terminal The vendorterminal code described above. Code Verification Code The verificationcode described above. Associated Account identification code for theplayer account with Player Account which the ticket is associated. Ifthe ticket is not associated with a player account, this field will beblank or may be omitted. Associated Prize A link or reference to a prizeredemption voucher that Redemption the ticket is associated with, ifany. If the ticket is not Voucher associated with a prize redemptionvoucher, this field will indicate “None”. Prize Data Data relating toprizes won by the ticket. This field is described in greater detailbelow. Ticket Status The current status of the on-line lottery ticketwith respect to the completion of the draws for which the ticket isvalid and with respect to the redemption of prizes won by the ticket, ifany. The status may be one of the following: i. Draws Not Complete,indicating that at least one draw for which ticket is valid has not beenconducted; ii. Not A Winner, indicating that the draws for which theticket is valid for have been conducted and the ticket has not won aprize; iii. Winner-Not Redeemed, indicating that the draws FieldInformation recorded in field for which the ticket is valid for havebeen conducted, the ticket has won at least one prize and that the prizehas not been redeemed; or iv. Winner-Redeemed, indicating that the drawsfor which the ticket is valid have been conducted, the ticket has won atleast one prize and the prizes have been redeemed.

Information that is displayed on the ticket receipt 114 may be stored inthe format that is used on the ticket or in another correspondingformat. For example, the played numbers in a played number set for theLotto 7/47 on-line lottery may be stored as six different values, or maybe stored as a code representing the played numbers, or both. Thelottery ticket record may contain additional information, such as themethod by which the player paid for ticket, and other information.

Lottery ticket records 524 for seven tickets L1-L7 are illustrated inLotto 7/47 ticket table 522. The draw record 518 for the Nov. 18, 2005draw is linked to the lottery ticket records 524 for tickets L2 and L3indicating that they are valid for that draw. Ticket L3 corresponds toticket receipt 118 (FIG. 2) and is also valid for the November 25,December 2 and December 9 draws. The ticket record 525 for ticket L3 maycontain the following information when it is first created:

Field Information recorded in field Ticket Code 5933-3748-0985-3924Issue Date/Time November 17, 2005 - 12:43 pm Host On-line Set 1: 8, 12,23, 29, 32, 37, 45 Lottery Played Set 2: 2, 18, 24, 28, 33, 39, 42Number Sets Set 3: 12, 17, 21, 29, 32, 37, 43 (Auto-Pick) Associated On-Played line Lottery Played Number 1: 398587 Information Played Number 2:957238 Valid Draw Nov. 18, 2005 Dates Nov. 25, 2005 Dec. 2, 2005 Dec. 9,2005 Vendor Terminal 59573 Code Verification Code 3423 AssociatedKARINA1022 Player Account Associated Prize None Redemption Voucher PrizeData Unknown (draws not conducted yet) Ticket Status Draws Not Complete

Keno draw table 526 and Keno ticket table 528 are similar to Lotto 7/47draw table and Lotto 7/47 ticket table and contain information relatingto draws and tickets for the Keno on-line lottery. Keno draw table 526contains draw records 518 for daily draws of the Keno on-line lottery.Lottery ticket records 524 for six tickets K1-K6 for the Keno on-linelottery are illustrated in the Keno Ticket table 528 in FIG. 6 a. Inthis example embodiment, the Keno on-line lottery is not a host lotteryfor the Tag on-line lottery. The ticket records 524 for Keno tickets donot have an Associated On-line Lottery Information field. If the lotteryoperator operates other on-line lotteries, the lottery database 160 willhave a draw table and a ticket table for each other on-line lottery.

Referring to FIG. 6 c, lottery database 160 also includes on-line gameevent tables 508 and on-line game ticket tables 510. Player accounttable 502 is also illustrated in FIG. 6 c. Lottery database 160 includesa Sports Line event table 532, a Sports Line ticket table 536, anOver/Under event table 540 and an Over/Under ticket table 542. In thepresent embodiment, the lottery database includes a separate event table508 and on-line game ticket table 510 for each event list for eachon-line game. The event tables and on-line game ticket tables in FIG. 6b are for the Sports Line and Over/Under on-line games based on eventlist 8845.

Each event table 508 contains one or more event records 534. Each eventrecord 534 contains information about an event for an on-line game, suchas the date and time of the event, the teams participating in the event,the various predicted outcomes that a player may choose, the odds set bythe lottery operator for those outcomes and other information.

In this exemplary embodiment, each event record 534 in the Sports Lineevent table 532 includes the following fields:

Field Information recorded in field Event number The event number asindicated on the event list. Date/Time The date and time of the event.This may be the time after which a player cannot select the event for aticket. Typically, the lottery operator will not allow a player toselect an event less than a selected time (for example, 15 minutes or 30minutes) before the beginning of an event. Event Type The name of sport,league or other classification of the event. Visitor Name The name ofthe visiting team Home Name The name of the home team Visitor Odds Theodds set by the lottery operator for the visiting team winning the eventaccording to the rules of the Sports Line on-line game. Home Odds Theodds set by the lottery operator for the home team winning the eventaccording to the rules of the Sports Line on-line game. Tie Odds Theodds set by the lottery operator for a tie in the event according to therules of the Sports Line on-line game. Actual Outcome The actual outcomeof the event, according to the rules of the Sports Line on-line game.

In this exemplary embodiment, each event record 534 in the Over/Underevent table 540 includes the following fields:

Field Information recorded in field Event number The event number asindicated on the event list. Date/Time The date and time of the event.As with the event records for the Sports Line on-line game, this may betime after which a player cannot select the event for a ticket. EventType The name of sport, league or other classification of the event.Event Name A description of the event. This field identifies the teamsparticipating in the event. Threshold The threshold number of points.Over Odds The odds set by the lottery operator for the teams scoringover the threshold number of points according to the rules of theOver/Under on-line game. Under Odds The odds set by the lottery operatorfor the teams scoring under the threshold number of points according tothe rules of the Over/Under on-line game. Actual Outcome The actualoutcome of the event, according to the rules of the Over/Under on-linegame.

The Actual Outcome field in an event record 534 will be blank until theevent has been completed and the outcome is known. In the Sports Lineevent table 532, the event record 534 for event 87 on list 8845 has thefollowing contents when it is first created:

Field Information recorded in field Event number 87 Date/Time Nov. 13,2005 - 8:00 pm Event Type NHL Hockey Visitor Name Anaheim Home NameDallas Visitor Odds 1.7 Home Odds 5.5 Tie Odds 1.7 Actual OutcomeUnknown

In the Over/Under event table 532, the event record 534 for event 56 onlist 8845 has the following contents when it is first created:

Field Information recorded in field Event number 56 Date/Time Nov. 13,2005 - 1:00 pm Event Type NFL Football Event Name Kansas City v. BuffaloThreshold 43.5 Over Odds 1.7 Under Odds 1.7 Actual Outcome Unknown

Each on-line game ticket table 510 contains on-line game ticket records538. Each on-line game ticket record 538 contains information relatingto a ticket sold for an on-line game. In this exemplary embodiment, theticket records 538 in the Sports Line ticket table 536 include thefollowing fields:

Field Information recorded in field Ticket Code The ticket code for theticket. Issue Date/Time The date and time at which the ticket was issuedby the lottery operator. Predicted A list of the events for which theplayer has made a Outcomes prediction and the player's prediction foreach event. Vendor Terminal The vendor terminal code described above.Code Verification Code The verification code described above. AssociatedAccount ID code for the player account with which the Player Accountticket is associated. If the ticket is not associated with a playeraccount, this field will be blank or may be omitted. Associated Prize Alink or reference to a prize redemption voucher that Redemption theticket is associated with, if any. If the ticket is not Voucherassociated with a prize redemption voucher, this field will indicate“None”. Wager The amount that the player wagered on this ticket.Maturation Event The event following which the on-line game ticket“matures”. An on-line game ticket matures when the results for the wagermade on the ticket can be determined. In the present embodiment, this ispossible when all of the events on which the wager is based arecomplete. The maturation event for each ticket is the chronologicallylatest event that the wager is based on. In other embodiments, thisinformation may be set out as a fixed date or fixed date and time, afterthe expected completion of the maturation event for which the player hasmade a predicted. In another embodiment, this field may be omitted. Thelottery operator may periodically (i.e. daily) or occasionally searchthe Predicted Outcomes field of each on-line game ticket record anddetermine the Ticket Status for tickets that are based on events thathave been completed. In another embodiment, the lottery operator mayconfigure the ticket server to wait until a player attempts to check orredeem an on-line game ticket before determining whether the ticket is awinning on- line game ticket. If the events on which the on-line gameticket is based have been completed, the ticket server can calculate andreport the Prize Data. Otherwise, the ticket server reports that thePrize Data cannot be calculated yet. Payout Value The amount the playerwill be paid if his predictions meet the requirement for the particulargame. In some games, several payout values might be recorded and one ormore of them might be paid to the player if different criteria are met.This field is optional. The payout value may be calculated when it isrequired using the odds for the outcomes predicted by the player and thewager chosen by the player. Ticket Status The current status of theon-line game ticket with respect to the completion of the draws forwhich the ticket is valid and with respect to the redemption of prizeswon by the ticket, if any. The status may be one of the following: i.Events Not Complete, indicating that the ticket has not matured becausethe actual outcome of at least one event on which the ticket is based isnot known; ii. Not A Winner, indicating that the ticket has matured andthat the player has lost the wager on the ticket; iii. Winner-NotRedeemed, indicating that the player has won the wager on the ticket,but has not yet redeemed the ticket to receive the payout value; or iv.Winner-Redeemed, indicating that the player has won the wager on theticket and has redeemed the ticket to receive the payout value.

Each on-line game ticket table 510 has a Maturation Event Index (notshown) that provides an index of the ticket records 538 in the tickettable ordered by the event identified in the Maturation Event field ineach of the ticket records. The Maturation Event Index may be used toidentify ticket records 538 that correspond to tickets which matureafter a particular event. The Sports Line ticket table 536 has a SportsLine Maturation Event Index (not shown). The Over/Under ticket table 542has an Over/Under Maturation Event Index (not shown). In anotherembodiment, ticket records that have a specific maturation event may beidentified by searching through each ticket record in a ticket table.

Sports Line ticket table 536 contains seven on-line game ticket records538 corresponding to seven Sports Line on-line game tickets SL1-SL7.Ticket SL3 corresponds to ticket receipt 318 (FIG. 4). The ticket record539 for ticket SL3, when it is first created has the following contents:

Field Information recorded in field Ticket Code 1659-8761-6573-4657Issue Date/Time Nov. 12, 2005 - 10:15 am Predicted Event 17 - VisitorWin Outcomes Event 18 - Home Win Event 45 - Visitor Win Event 60 - HomeWin Vendor Terminal 45678 Code Verification Code 2344 AssociatedKARINA1022 Player Account Associated Prize None Redemption Voucher Wager$10.00 Maturation Event Event 60 Payout Value $124.80 Ticket StatusEvents Not CompleteOver/Under ticket table 542 contains six on-line game ticket records 538corresponding to six Over/Under on-line game ticket OU1-OU6. Ticket OU2corresponds to on-line game ticket record 541 and to ticket receipt 418(FIG. 5).

Player account server 162 manages the creation of player accounts andenables players to access their player accounts using a player terminal106. Each player interface 166 facilitates communications between theplayer account server 162 and one or more of the player terminals 106.In the present embodiment, player interface 166 a includes a playerwebsite 167 a, which players may access by using a web browser operatingon a player terminal 106, such as a personal computer or any otherweb-enable computing device. Player interface 166 a communicates withweb browsers to receive information from the player terminals 106 and totransmit information to the player terminals 106. For example, playerinterface 166 a receives information about new player accounts andcreates a corresponding player account record 514 in the lotterydatabase 160. This is further described below in relation to method2100. Player interface 166 a obtains information relating to ticketsassociated with a player account from the lottery database 160 andtransmits it to a player terminal 106. The information is displayed onthe player terminal 106. This is further described below in relation tomethod 2600.

Other player interfaces 166 may be configured to allow other types ofplayer terminals 106 to access the player account server to createplayer accounts or to obtain information relating to tickets associatedwith a player account. For example, other player interfaces 166 may beadapted to communicate with portable communication devices with smalldisplay screens such as portable digital assistant (PDA) devices orportable telephone devices. Other player interfaces 166 may be adaptedto communicate with computer programs executing on a player terminal 106and to control the display of information by such computer programs.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method 2100 for creating a player account. Method2100 begins in step 2102 in which a player accesses player accountserver 162 by accessing a player interface 166. Method 2100 will beexplained by way of example with reference to player interface 166 a,which includes player website 167 a.

Referring to FIG. 8, the player website 167 a (FIG. 1) includes awelcome web page 602 that includes a “Create Account” button 604, whichallows the player to initiate a player account creation service. Theplayer account creation service operates under the control of the playeraccount server 162.

Reference is again made to FIG. 7. In step 2102, the player uses aplayer terminal 106 to access the welcome page 602 and initiates theplayer account creation service by clicking on the Create Accountbutton. In other embodiments of the invention, a player account creationservice may be initiated through the use of any other type of control oroption that a player may select or interact with.

Method 2100 next proceeds to step 2104. In step 2104, the player selectsa player account identification code and provides other information forher player account. In this step, the player is presented with anaccount creation form. The account creation form is transmitted from theplayer website 167 a to the player terminal 106 and is displayed on theplayer terminal 106. The account creation form has a number of fields toallow the player to enter information relating to a player account thatthe player wishes to create. The account creation form allows the playerto propose an account identification code and account password for theplayer account. The account creation form also allows the player toenter the personal information described above: the player's name,address, phone number, fax number, e-mail address, birth date, sex andincome range. When the player has completed the form, the informationentered by the player is transmitted to the player account server.Method 2100 proceeds to step 2106.

In step 2106, the player account server 162 determines whether theproposed account identification code may be assigned to the player'saccount. In the present embodiment, the player account server 162 checkswhether the proposed account identification code is consistent with anyrules the lottery operator has specified for account identificationcodes.

The player account server 162 also checks the account password proposedby the player to ensure that it complies with any rules set by thelottery operator. The lottery operator may specify rules for accountpasswords relating to minimum and maximum numbers of characters, use ofdifferent cases of letters (i.e. uppercase, lowercase or mixed case),use of numerals in the password and other requirements.

The player account server 162 also checks the remaining informationprovided by the player to ensure that it meets any criteria set by thelottery operator. For example, the lottery operator may check to ensurethat any required fields are completed. In the present example, thelottery operator allows players to create anonymous accounts withoutentering any personal information. In other embodiments, the lotteryoperator may require players to provide some or all of the personalinformation described here, as well as other personal information.

If the proposed identification code, password and personal informationmeet all criteria imposed by the lottery operator, method 2100 proceedsto step 2108. Otherwise, method 2100 returns to step 2104.

In step 2108, a new player account record 514 is created in the playeraccount table 502 for the new player account code. The Player TicketList field does not contain a reference to any tickets at this point,since the player account is newly created and no tickets have beenassociated with the account. The Player Ticket Purchase Voucher Listfield does not contain a reference to any ticket purchase vouchers. ThePlayer Prize Redemption Purchase Voucher field does not contain areference to any prize redemption vouchers.

Referring to FIG. 6 a, three player account records 514 are illustrated.The player account record 514 with player account code SAMANTHA is newlycreated using method 2100 and has not yet been associated with anytickets, ticket purchase vouchers or prize redemption vouchers.

Method 2100 proceeds to step 2110. In step 2110, the player accountserver 162 confirms the creation of the new player account. The playeraccount server 162 transmits a confirmation message to the playerterminal 106 where the confirmation message is displayed.

Method 2100 ends when step 2110 is completed.

Typically, a lottery operator will allow a player to change some of theinformation recorded about the player and the player account in a playeraccount record 514. For example, the player may be permitted to changethe password associated with the player account or the personalinformation about the player. The lottery operator will provide anaccount modification service for this purpose. A skilled person will beable to provide an appropriate account modification service and theaccount modification is not further described here.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method 3000 that allows a player to create andprint a ticket purchase voucher 113. Method 3000 will be explained inpart with reference to an example using the player record for KarinaJones and the Lotto 7/47 ticket purchase voucher creation page 116, theassociated ticket purchase voucher 117 and the associated ticket receipt118.

Method 3000 begins in step 3002 in which the player uses a playerterminal 106 access the player account server 162. The player terminal106 communicates with a player interface 166 to allow the player tointeract with the lottery computer system.

Referring to FIG. 8, the player website 167 a (FIG. 1) includes awelcome web page 602. A player may access player account server 162 byaccessing the player website 167 a and accessing the welcome web page602. Welcome web page 602 includes player account identification codefield 612, an account password field 614 and an “Enter” button 616. Torequest access to the account checking service, the player enters hisaccount identification code in the account identification code field612, his account password in the account password field 614 and thenclicks on the Enter button 616. The account identification code andaccount password entered by the player are transmitted to the playeraccount server 162. Optionally, the account password may be encryptedbefore it is transmitted to the player account server 162. The accountidentification code may also optionally be encrypted before it istransmitted to the player account server 162.

In the present example, a player may access player website 167 a using aplayer terminal 106 that operates a web browser. Player terminal 106 cis a computer that is coupled to the Internet and operates a webbrowser. The welcome web page 602 is displayed on the player terminal106 c. Karina Jones uses this player terminal 106 c to access the playerwebsite 167 a. The player interface 166 can display parts of the playerwebsite 167 a on the player terminal.

In the present example, Karina Jones enters her account identificationcode KARINA1022 in the account identification code field 612. She alsoenters her account password in the account password field 612 and clickson the Enter button 616.

Method 3000 then proceeds to decision step 3004. In step 3004, theplayer account server 162 attempts to authenticate the accountidentification code and account password entered by the player in step3002. If a player account record 514 matching the entered accountidentification code and account password exists in the player accounttable 512 (FIG. 6), then the account identification code and passwordare authentic and method 3000 proceeds to step 3008. Otherwise, method3000 proceeds to step 3006.

Since Karina Jones correctly entered her account ID code and password,in the example, method 3000 proceeds to step 3008.

In step 3006, an error message is displayed on the player terminal 106indicating that the player has entered an invalid account identificationcode or an invalid password (or both). Method 3000 then ends.

In step 3008, the player is provided access to the ticket purchasevoucher creation service.

In system 100, the player is presented with an opportunity to usevarious services, such as a ticket checking service or the ticketpurchase voucher creation service. For example, a webpage is displayedon the player's terminal identifying the various services and allowingthe player to click a button to select the ticket purchase vouchercreation service. The player chooses to access the ticket purchasevoucher creation service.

Referring to FIG. 10, player website 167 a then presents the player witha ticket purchase voucher selection page 620 on which the variouson-line lotteries and on-line games for which a ticket purchase vouchercan be made are identified and can be selected. For example, buttons 622a, 622 b, 622 c and 622 d can be used to select Lotto 7/47, Keno,SportsLine and Over/Under. The player selects one of these on-linelotteries or on-line games by clicking on the name of the on-linelottery or on-line games.

In the example, Karina Jones chooses Lotto 7/47.

Method 3000 then proceeds to step 3010, in which the player is presentedwith a ticket purchase voucher creation page 112 (FIGS. 2-5) for theselected on-line lottery or on-line game. The player then selects theplayed numbers, outcomes, and/or other choices available, depending onthe on-line lottery or on-line game selected. When the player hascompleted the voucher, the player clicks to the Create Voucher button119.

For example, ticket purchase voucher creation page 116 for Lotto 7/47 isdisplayed for Karina Jones on her player terminal 106. She completes theLotto 7/47 ticket purchase voucher creation page as shown in FIG. 2 toselect two manually selected played number sets, one automaticallyselected Lotto 7/47 played number set, two Tag numbers and to purchase aticket for four draws. Karina Jones then clicks the Create Voucherbutton 119.

Method 3000 then proceeds to step 3012. In this step, the playerterminal transmits a Ticket Purchase Voucher Request 560 to the playeraccount server 162 containing proposed ticket information correspondingto the selections made by the player. The ticket purchase vouchergeneration pages 112, which are part of the player website 167 a, areconfigured such that when a player clicks the Create Voucher 119 button,a Ticket Purchase Voucher Request 560 is sent to the player interface166. The Ticket Purchase Voucher Request is in the form of a messagethat includes proposed ticket information.

In the present example, when Karina Jones clicks the Create Voucherbutton 119 on the Lotto 7/47 ticket purchase voucher creation page, theweb browser on her player computer 106 c transmits a message to theplayer interface 166 containing the following proposed ticketinformation:

Ticket Type: Lotto 7/47

Manually selected number sets:

-   -   08 12 23 29 32 37 45    -   02 18 24 28 33 39 42

Automatically selected number sets: 1

Tag Numbers: 2

Draws: 4

In another embodiment, the ticket type may be implicit in the messagetype or in the source of the message. For example, the message by of atype that indicates the on-line lottery or on-line game for which aticket purchase voucher is being requested, or the message may indicatethat the ticket purchase voucher request originated from a Lotto 7/47ticket purchase voucher generation page.

Method 3000 then proceeds to step 3014. In this step, the new ticketpurchase voucher is added to the lottery database 160. The playeraccount server 162 adds a new voucher record 572 to the ticket purchasevoucher table 570 in response to the Ticket Purchase Voucher Request560. The player account server associates the ticket purchase voucherrecord with the player's account. The player's account is identified inthe Player Account ID Code field in the voucher record 572. The playeraccount server 162 also identifies the new voucher in the Player TicketVoucher List in the player record for the player's account.

In the present example, the player account server 162 adds the voucherrecord for voucher 117 (FIG. 2) to the voucher table in response to theTicket Purchase Voucher Request.

Method 3000 then proceeds to step 3016, in which the player accountserver 162 generates a ticket purchase voucher 113 corresponding to theTicket Purchase Voucher Request 560. The ticket purchase voucher isgenerated in a format that is suitable for printing at a player terminaland on which the machine readable voucher code can be scanned using aticket vending terminal 104. In the present embodiment, ticket purchasevouchers 113 are generated in a portable document format (PDF) that isused widely in computing.

Method 3000 then proceeds to step 3018 in which the ticket purchasevoucher is transmitted to the player terminal 106 from which the TicketPurchase Voucher Request was received and in which a paper copy of theticket purchase voucher is printed at the player's terminal (or anotherdevice) by the player. The ticket purchase voucher includes the ticketpurchase voucher code in a form or version suitable for scanning at aticket vending terminal.

In addition to generating the ticket purchase voucher, the playeraccount server may also generate a version of the ticket purchasevoucher that is suitable for display at the player terminal from whichthe Ticket Purchase Voucher Request 560 was received. This version maybe generated by the player interface 166 that is communicating with theplayer terminal 106. For example, “dumb” player terminals (for example adevice connected via a telnet connection) may simply receive and displaytext from a player interface and may just detect and transmit keystrokesand other input from the player to the player interface. A playerinterface for such a dumb terminal may transmit text corresponding tothe ticket purchase voucher to the player terminal. The text may includeinstructions for the player to download the ticket purchase voucher,which the player can then print at his player terminal or at anotherdevice. When the player follows the instructions, the ticket purchasevoucher is transmitted to the player.

In the Karina Jones example, the player is communicating with playerinterface 166 a, which controls the display of webpages from playerwebsite 167 a on her player terminal 106 c. Player interface 166 agenerates a webpage that includes information corresponding to theticket purchase voucher (which will generally include text setting outsome or all of the contents of the ticket purchase voucher). The webpageis transmitted to the player interface where it is displayed. Thewebpage includes a “Print Voucher” button. When the player clicks thePrint Voucher button, the voucher is transmitted to the player interfaceand player can print the voucher at the player terminal or at anotherdevice.

In another embodiment, the ticket purchase voucher may be transmitted tothe player without any additional version of it. The player terminal maybe able to display the voucher in addition to printing it. In someembodiments, the player may only be able to print the voucher withoutseeing a display of it.

In the Karina Jones example, the player interface generates a webpagethat includes information on the ticket purchase voucher, as well asadditional information, which may include instructions on how to use thevoucher, other information about the lottery operator or the lotteryoperator's on-line lotteries, on-line games and other products, andother information. Karina Jones clicks on the “Print Voucher” button andthe voucher is printed on a printer at her player terminal.

Method 3000 then ends.

After completing method 3000, the player has a printed ticket purchasevoucher 113 that corresponds to the player's selections on the ticketpurchase voucher creation page in step 3010. The player can use theticket purchase voucher to purchase a ticket for an on-line lottery oron-line game in accordance with a ticket purchase method 3100.

FIG. 11 illustrates method 3100. Method 3100 allows the lottery operatorto sell a ticket to a player and correspondingly allows a player topurchase a ticket using a ticket purchase voucher 113. The steps inmethod 3100 are explained with reference to Karina Jones' ticketpurchase voucher 117 for the Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery.

Method 3100 starts in step 3102 in which the player presents a ticketpurchase voucher 113 to a ticket vendor.

Method 3100 then proceeds to step 3104, in which the ticket vendor scansthe machine readable voucher code 136 (FIGS. 2, 3, 4) using the scanneror scanning device of the ticket vending terminal 104. In the presentexample, the machine readable ticket purchase voucher code 136 is abarcode and the scanner is a barcode scanner.

In other embodiments, the machine readable voucher code may be set outin a form other than a barcode. The scanner in such embodiment isselected such that it can scan the machine readable ticket purchasevoucher code.

The ticket vending terminal 104 transmits the ticket purchase vouchercode of the ticket purchase voucher to the ticket server 164.

Method 3100 then proceeds to step 3106, in which the lottery computersystem 102 issues a ticket to the player. The ticket server 164 receivesthe ticket purchase voucher code from the ticket vending terminal 104and obtains the corresponding ticket purchase voucher record 572 fromthe ticket purchase voucher table 570. The ticket purchase voucherrecord 572 contains proposed ticket information corresponding to theplayer's selections for the ticket purchase voucher. The ticket server164 adds a ticket record to the appropriate ticket table correspondingto the Ticket Type in the proposed ticket information. The ticket server164 associates the ticket with the player's account by identifying theplayer's account in the Associated Player Account field of the ticketrecord and by identifying the new ticket purchase voucher in the PlayerTicket Purchase Voucher List field of the corresponding player accountrecord 514.

The ticket server 164 transmits Ticket Receipt Data 554 to the ticketvending terminal 104 from which the voucher code was received in step3104.

The Ticket Receipt Data 554 includes ticket information printed by theticket vending terminal 104 on the ticket receipt 114 for the ticket.

In the Karina Jones example, the Ticket Receipt Data 554 includes theinformation printed on the ticket receipt 118 (FIG. 2). The TicketReceipt Data 554 may also include additional information, such asformatting information to indicate how the information printed on theticket receipt 114 should be laid out. The ticket vending terminal 104prints a ticket receipt 114 setting out the ticket information.

The ticket vendor gives the ticket receipt 114 to the player and method3100 ends.

In system 100, tickets are issued to players who have created a playeraccount with the lottery operator at the lottery computer system.Tickets issued to a player in method 3100 are associated with theplayer's account.

Reference is next made to FIG. 12. In other embodiments, a single ticketpurchase voucher may be used to purchase more than one ticket. Theplayer is permitted to make selections for more than one ticket andproposed ticket information for each ticket is recorded in the playeraccount server or elsewhere in the lottery computer system. When theplayer is done making selections for tickets, the player requests aticket purchase voucher for all of the tickets. The proposed ticketinformation for each of the tickets is recorded in the lottery databaseand associated with a single ticket purchase voucher record. Forexample, the proposed ticket information may be stored in the ticketpurchase voucher record or the ticket purchase voucher record mayinclude a reference to the proposed ticket information, which may bestored separately.

In such an embodiment, in step 3106 of method 3100, when the ticketserver receives a ticket issue request based on the multi-ticket ticketpurchase voucher, it issues tickets corresponding to all of the proposedticket information associated with the ticket purchase voucher's code.Each of the tickets is associated with the corresponding player account.

FIG. 12 illustrates a ticket purchase voucher 717 that may be used insuch an embodiment to purchase more than one ticket. Ticket purchasevoucher 717 has ticket information section 732 and a machine readableticket purchase code 736 in a ticket purchase voucher code section 734.Ticket information section 732 sets out a player's selections for threeon-line lottery tickets. In the lottery database, proposed ticketinformation for all three tickets is recorded within or accessible fromthe ticket purchase voucher record for the ticket purchase voucher 717.When ticket purchase voucher 717 is scanned at a ticket vending terminal104, the ticket vending terminal transmits the ticket purchase vouchercode to the ticket server. The ticket server issues all three ticketsand the player receives three corresponding ticket receipts 114.

In the embodiments described above, a player presents a ticket purchasevoucher 113 to a ticket vendor in step 3102 of method 3100 to purchase aticket. A ticket purchase voucher may also be used to purchase a ticketfrom a player operated ticket vending terminal. The player may scan thebarcode of the ticket purchase voucher at the player operated ticketvending terminal, which then communicates with the lottery computersystem and prints a ticket receipt or receipts corresponding to theticket vending terminal, as described above.

In the embodiments described above, a player will typically pay a ticketvendor for tickets purchased by the player in step 3106 of method 3100.In other embodiments, the player may be able to link a payment serviceto the player's account. For example, the player may be able to record acredit card number, debit card number, bank account or other paymentservice in association with the player's account. In some embodiments,information required to complete a payment using the payment service maybe recorded in the player account record for the player account. Whenthe player uses a ticket purchase voucher to purchase a ticket ortickets, the ticket server may obtain payment from the payment serviceprior to issuing a ticket or tickets in step 3106. Optionally, theplayer may be able to may be required to enter a password orauthentication code at the ticket vending terminal before the payment isauthorized by the payment service.

In each of the embodiments described above, a player obtains a printedticket purchase voucher at a player terminal. The ticket purchasevoucher code is provided to a ticket vending terminal by scanning theticket purchase voucher code from the ticket purchase voucher. In otherembodiments, the player may be able to provide a ticket purchase vouchercode to a ticket vending terminal in another form.

In some embodiments, in step 3018 of method 3000, the player accountserver provides a version of the ticket purchase voucher in which theticket purchase voucher code may be displayed on the screen of aportable player terminal such as a PDA, cell phone or another portabledevice. For example, a version of the ticket purchase voucher may beprovided which displays the ticket purchase voucher code as a bar codeon the screen. The player may be able to store the ticket purchasevoucher in the portable player terminal. The player may then purchasetickets by displaying the ticket purchase voucher on the screen of theportable player terminal and scanning the displayed bar code at a ticketvending terminal or allowing a ticket vendor to do so during step 3104of method 3100.

In other embodiments, a ticket vending terminal may be configured toreceive a ticket purchase voucher code through a radio frequency oroptical signal. For example, in step 3018, the player account server mayprovide a ticket purchase voucher code in a numeric form or a coded formthat can be transmitted by a portable player terminal. The ticketpurchase voucher code may be stored on the portable player terminal.During step 3104, the player may cause the portable player terminal totransmit a radio frequency or optical signal (such as an infra-redsignal) including the ticket purchase voucher code to a ticket vendingterminal with a corresponding receiver. In other embodiments, the playermay physically couple the portable player terminal to the ticket vendingterminal with a cable and may transmit an electronic signal includingthe ticket purchase voucher code.

Any other method may be used to input a ticket purchase voucher codeinto a ticket vending terminal. For example, in some embodiments, aplayer or ticket vendor may be able to manually enter a ticket purchasevoucher code into a ticket vending terminal using a keypad.

In system 100, a player uses a ticket purchase voucher that isassociated with the player's account to identify the player's accountwhen purchasing tickets. Tickets purchased with a ticket purchasevoucher are associated with the player's account. In other systems,players are able to use other methods of associating a ticket with anaccount in addition to or as an alternative to the use of a selectionslip 112 with an account identification region. For example, a playermay use a selection slip that has an account identification region, asis described in PCT patent application No. PCT/CA2006/000270. The playeridentifies the player's account on a selection slip and ticketspurchased with the selection slip are associated with the player'saccount.

Reference is made to FIG. 13, which illustrates another system 1400according to the present invention. System 1400 illustrates additionalmethods by which a player may purchase a ticket that is associated withthe player's account.

A player may be able to purchase a ticket associated with the player'saccount on the Internet after logging into the player's account byproviding the player's account identification code and password. In FIG.13, direct Internet based sales are illustrated by dashed line 1470 inrelation to player terminal 1406 c. The lottery operator may provide aticket purchase web page and allow a player to select played number setsand other options, including automatically selected number sets for aticket. The player is then permitted to purchase the ticket and may beable to pay for ticket using a deposit account previously establishedwith the lottery operator or using a credit or debit account (such as acredit card, debit card or check card). Tickets purchased by a playerwhile logged into the player's account (i.e. after the player hasauthenticated the player's right to access the player's account byproviding the player's account identification code and password) areassociated with the player's account. After purchasing a ticket in thisfashion, the player may be permitted to print a corresponding ticketreceipt 114 at the player's terminal.

Another method for purchasing tickets associated with a player accountis the use of a player account identification device. In FIG. 13, ticketsales made using a player account identification device 1476 areillustrated in relation to ticket vending terminal 1404 e.

FIG. 14 illustrates a selection slip 1512. FIG. 14 also illustrates aplayer identification card 1502, which is an example of a playeridentification device 1476. Player identification card 1502 includes acard identifier 1504, which in this example is a bar code that is uniqueto the particular player identification card 1502. A playeridentification device 1476 may also optionally include otherinformation, such as the name or logo of the lottery operator, the nameof a player to whom the player identification device is assigned andinstructions for use of the player identification device 1476.

A player may use an account identification device 1476 to identify theplayer's account if a lottery operator does not provide an accountidentification region on the lottery operator's selection slips.

9 Player identification devices 1408 may take various forms. In somecases, the lottery operator may provide a player with an accountidentification card that includes a magnetic strip or a barcode. A cardidentifier is encoded onto the magnetic strip or in the barcode,allowing the account identification card to be identified. Referring toFIG. 15, in such an embodiment, the lottery database 1460 includes anidentification card table 1478 containing a plurality of identificationcard records 1480. Identification card records are associated withplayer accounts, typically by identifying the player account's accountidentification code in the identification card record 1478. FIG. 15illustrates three example association between an identification cardrecord 1478, in which a card identifier is set out, and a player accountrecord 514.

In other embodiments, the player's account identification code isdirectly encoded onto the magnetic strip or into the bar code and anidentification card table may not be required.

A lottery operator may alternatively or additionally provide playerswith account identification devices such as:

-   -   a key fob that contains a bar code, magnetic strip or a radio        frequency identification (RFID) tag;    -   an RFID device;    -   a proximity card; or    -   any other card or device that may be identified by using a        corresponding reader or scanner coupled to a ticket vending        terminal 1404. In some embodiments, the account identification        device has a device identifier (such as the card identifiers        described above). The device identifier is correlated with an        account identification code using an account identification        device table, such as account identification card table 1478        described above. In other embodiments, the account        identification device may have a player's account identification        code embedded or encoded in it or displayed on it. The device        identifier or account identification code can be scanned or        extracted from the account identification device.

The lottery operator may alternatively or additionally allow a player toprint an account identification card at a player terminal. The playermay access the player's account, by logging into the player website andmay access an account identification card printing service. The serviceallows the player to print a card including a bar code that encodes acard identifier or the players' account identification code (or both).The player may use the printed account identification card to purchasetickets in the same manner as a card provided by a lottery operator.

Reference is made to FIG. 16, which illustrates a method 2800. Method2800 allows a lottery operator to sell a ticket to a player using aplayer identification card 1502 (FIG. 14) and correspondingly allows aplayer to buy a ticket using a player identification card.

Method 2800 begin in step 2802, in which a player presents the player'saccount identification card to a ticket vendor. The player may alsooptionally present the vendor with a selection slip 1512 (FIG. 14) onwhich the player has completed the play region 1520, or the player mayrequest a ticket with one or more automatically selected played numbersets for a particular on-line lottery.

Method 2800 then proceeds to step 2804, in which the ticket vendor scansthe player's account identification card using an appropriate scanner(not shown) coupled to the vendor's ticket vending terminal 104. If theplayer has presented a selection slip 1512, the ticket vendor scans theselection slip. If the player has requested a ticket with automaticallyselected player number sets, the ticket vendor enters the player'srequest into the ticket vending terminal.

The ticket vending terminal transmits a Ticket Issue Request 552 to theticket server 1464. The Ticket Issue Request 552 identifies the player'saccount identification card and includes details of any ticketsrequested by the player. In the present example, the playeridentification card 1502 includes a card identifier which is included inthe Ticket Issue Request 552 to identify the player identification card.In an embodiment in which the player identification card 1502 (or moregenerally, the player identification device 1476) includes the player'saccount identification code itself, the account identification code isincluded in the Ticket Issue Request.

Method 2800 then proceeds to step 2805, which is performed only if theTicket Issue Request 552 sent in step 2804 includes a card identifierrather than an account identification code. In embodiments in which theTicket Issue Request of step 2804 includes a player's accountidentification code, method 2800 proceeds to step 2806 after step 2804.In step 2805, the Ticket Server 1564 looks up the account identificationcode corresponding to the card identifier in the identification cardtable 1478.

Method 2800 then proceeds to step 2806. Step 2806 corresponds to step3106 of method 3100 and is not further described.

Method 2800 allows a player to purchase a ticket using an accountidentification device 1476 and a selection slip. The ticket isassociated with the player's account in step 2806.

In different embodiments, an lottery operator may permit a player to buya ticket and have the ticket associated with the player's account usingany one or more of the methods described above, including the use of aselection slip with an account identification region, use of a ticketpurchase voucher, Internet based purchase or with the use of an accountidentification device, or by any other means that allows a player toidentify the player's account when purchasing a ticket.

Reference is next made to FIG. 17. For each on-line lottery, the lotteryoperator conducts a draw of the on-line lottery at the appointed dateand time. In the case of a host on-line lottery with an associatedon-line lottery, the lottery operator typically conducts a draw of boththe host and associated on-line lotteries, depending on the rules forthe on-line lotteries. In the present embodiment, the lottery operatorthen checks each ticket that is valid for the draw by comparing theplayed number sets for each ticket valid for the draw with thecorresponding winning number sets to determine if the ticket has won anyprizes and to determine the value of any shared prizes. FIG. 9illustrates a method 2300 that a lottery operator may use to do so.Method 2300 will be explained using an example based on the Oct. 31,2003 draw date for the host Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery and associatedTag on-line lottery and with reference to Lotto 7/47 ticket L3 (FIG. 6a), which corresponds to ticket receipt 118 (FIG. 2).

Method 2300 begins in step 2302 in which the lottery operator conductsthe draw of the on-line lottery or lotteries.

In the present example based on the Nov. 18, 2005 draw of the Lotto 7/47on-line lottery, the lottery operator draws a winning number set for thehost Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery and a winning number for the associatedTag on-line lottery. The winning number set for the Lotto 7/47 on-linelottery consists of the winning numbers 8, 12, 17, 23, 32, 43, 47 andbonus number 6. The winning number for the associated Tag on-linelottery is 258952.

Method 2300 then proceeds to step 2304, in which the lottery operatorupdates the winning number field or fields in the appropriate drawrecord 518 for the draws conducted in step 2302 in the appropriate drawtable 504. In the present example, the lottery operator updates the drawrecord 518 for the Oct. 31, 2003 draw in the Lotto 7/47 draw table 516.The lottery operator records the Lotto 7/47 winning number set in theLotto 7/47 Winning Number Set field and records the Tag winning numberin the Tag Winning Number field as follows:

Lotto 7/47 8, 12, 17, 23, 32, 43, 47 Bonus number 6 Winning Number SetTag Winning 258952 Number

Method 2300 then proceeds to step 2306, in which an on-line lotteryticket checking program (not shown) is executed by the lottery operator.The on-line lottery ticket checking program is executed on the lotterycomputer system 102 and has access to the lottery database 160. Theon-line lottery ticket checking program uses the Draw Ticket List fieldin the draw record 518 for the draw conducted in step 2302 to obtain theticket record 524 (FIG. 6 a) for each ticket valid for the draw. Theon-line lottery ticket checking program compares the played number setson each ticket to the corresponding winning number sets for the draw andupdates the Prize Data field in the ticket record for the ticket basedon the comparison. The on-line lottery ticket checking program countsthe number of winning played number sets for each different winningcombination for each lottery to allow the lottery operator to determinethe value of any shared prizes and for information purposes. In otherembodiments, the on-line lottery ticket checking program may count onlythe number of winning number sets for winning combinations that haveshared prizes.

If a ticket is valid for more than one draw, the played number sets onthe ticket are compared to the corresponding winning numbers sets aftereach draw and the Prize Data field in the ticket record 524 is updatedto reflect the results for the ticket as of the most recent draw. If allof the draws for which the ticket is valid have been conducted, theon-line lottery ticket checking program also updates the Ticket Statusfield in the ticket record 524. If the ticket has won a prize (in thedraw conducted during the current performance of method 2300 or in aprevious draw) the ticket status is changed to “Winner-Not Redeemed”. Ifthe ticket has not won any prize in any draw, the Ticket Status ischanged to “Not A Winner”. If the ticket is still valid for futuredraws, the Ticket Status remains “Draws Not Complete”.

Typically, the on-line lottery ticket checking program will check eachticket valid for the draw conducted in step 2302 in turn. Referring toFIG. 6 b, tickets L2 and L3 are checked for the Nov. 18, 2005 draw.Ticket L2 is not valid for any subsequent draws and the Ticket Statusfield for that ticket will be set to “Not a Winner” or “Winner-NotRedeemed”.

When each ticket valid for the draw conducted in step 2302 has beenchecked to determine the results for the ticket in the draw, the lotteryticket checking program records the number of played number sets thathave won prizes for each of the winning combinations for each drawconducted in step 2302. Method 2300 then proceeds to step 2308.

In the present example, in step 2306, the result of comparing the playednumber sets to the corresponding winning numbers for the Nov. 18, 2005draw gives the following results:

-   -   Lotto 7/47 played number set 1: 4/7 regular winning numbers    -   Lotto 7/47 played number set 2: No winning combination    -   Tag played number 1: No winning combination.

Based on these results, the on-line lottery ticket checking programincrements the count of the number of played number sets that have wonthe fifth prize in the Oct. 31, 2003 Lotto 7/47 draw and also updatesthe Prize Data field in ticket record 525. The Prize Data field has thefollowing information in it after it is updated:

Prize Data Nov. 18, 2005 Lotto 7/47 played number set 1: 4/7 regularnumbers Lotto 7/47 played number set 2: Not a winner Tag played number1: Not a winner

Ticket L2 is still valid for additional draws and accordingly, theTicket Status for the ticket remains Draws Not Complete.

In step 2308, the lottery operator determines the value of any sharedprizes based on the number of winners for each winning combination,according to the rules of each on-line lottery. The lottery operatorthen updates the prize information fields in the draw records for thecompleted draws.

In the present example, the lottery operator calculates the value ofeach prize for the Nov. 18, 2005 draw of the Lotto 7/47 on-line lotteryand updates the Lotto 7/47 Prize Information field in the draw record518 for the draw. The Free Ticket Prize and all of the prizes for theTag on-line lottery are fixed prizes and no calculation is required.These fixed prizes are also recorded in the draw record 518 for thedraws.

This information is stored in the draw record 518 for the Nov. 18, 2005draw in the following fields:

Winning Combination Prize Value Winners Lotto 7/47 Prize 7/7 regularnumbers $2,500,000 1 Information 6/7 reg. numbers + bonus $342,849 5 6/7regular numbers $6,293 203 5/7 regular numbers $146 2,839 4/7 regularnumbers $28 10,020 3/7 reg. numbers + bonus $32 7,324 3/7 regularnumbers Free Ticket 784,893 Prize Winners Tag Prize All six digits 2Information Last five digits 34 Last four digits 239 Last three digits2894 First and last digits 34,230 First digit 333,902 Last digit 273,294

After step 2308, method 2300 ends.

Steps 2304, 2306 and 2308 may be automated using a computer program,which would include the on-line lottery ticket checking programdescribed above in relation to step 2306. The lottery operator may inputthe winning number set into the computer program and the total value ofthe shared prizes (if any), or the information required to calculate thetotal value of the shared prizes. The computer program can then carryout all three steps. Alternatively, the lottery operator may carry outstep 2304 or 2308 or both separately from the on-line lottery ticketchecking program of step 2306. The lottery operator may provide thewinning number set to the lottery ticket checking program to allow it tocarry out the necessary comparisons. The on-line lottery ticket checkingprogram of step 2306 may process a host on-line lottery and anyassociated on-line lottery or separate programs may be used to determinethe results for each ticket for the different on-line lotteries. Askilled person will be capable of providing one or more computerprograms to carry out the comparisons and data operations requireddepending on the particular structure of any particular on-line lotteryor lotteries and data storage techniques with which the invention isused.

Method 2300 allows a lottery operator to conduct a draw for an on-linelottery and to determine the results for each played number set on eachticket that is valid for the draw. The lottery operator can determinethe number of winning played number sets for each winning combinationfor the draw. If the lottery operator has conducted a draw for a hoston-line lottery and an associated on-line lottery, the lottery operatormay use method 2300 to calculate the number of winning played numbersets for each on-line lottery. In addition, the lottery operator maycalculate the value of any shared prizes based on the total prize valueallotted for a particular winning combination and the number of winnersfor that winning combination. The lottery operator may update the ticketrecord for each ticket to record the results for the ticket. The lotteryoperator may also update the draw record for the completed draw torecord the number of winning played number sets for each winningcombination, and the value of some or all of the prizes for each on-linelottery, depending on the information stored in the draw records in anyparticular embodiment of the invention.

Reference is next made to FIG. 18. For each on-line game, the lotteryoperator updates the event table 508 for the on-line game after eachevent is completed. Method 2400 illustrates a method used by the lotteryoperator in the present exemplary embodiment to update the event tables508 for on-line games, to check on-line game tickets and to updateon-line game ticket records 538. Method 2400 will be explained withreference to the Sports Line on-line game, event 60 in that on-line gameand ticket SL3 (FIG. 6 b), which corresponds to ticket receipt 318 (FIG.4).

Method 2400 is performed by the lottery operator for each event in anon-line game. Method 2400 begins in step 2402, in which the lotteryoperator waits for the event to be completed.

In the present example, the lottery operator waits until the NFLfootball game between Dallas and Philadelphia on Nov. 13, 2006 iscompleted.

After the event has been completed, method 2400 proceeds to step 2404.In step 2404, the lottery operator updates the Actual Outcome field inthe event record 534 for the event that has been completed.

For the purposes of the present example, the NFL football game isassumed to have ended with Dallas winning the game 31-18, according tothe standards rules for NFL football. According to the rules set by thelottery operator for the Sports Line on-line game, the home team is thewinner since Dallas won the game by more than three points. The ActualOutcome field of the event record 534 for event 60 in Sports Line EventTable 532 is updated as follows:

Actual Outcome Home Win

Method 2400 then proceeds to step 2406, in which the lottery operatorexecutes an on-line game ticket checking program (not shown). Theon-line game ticket checking program is executed on the lottery computersystem 102 and has access to the lottery database 160. The on-line gameticket checking program checks each on-line game ticket that maturedwith completion of the completed event, based on the Maturation Eventfield in the ticket record 538 for the ticket. In the presentembodiment, the Maturation Event Index for the on-line game ticket able510 (FIG. 6 b) is used to identify each ticket record that identifiesthe newly completed event in the Maturation Record field.

For each ticket that matured with the completed event, the game ticketchecking program compares the player's prediction set (set out in thePredicted Outcomes field in the ticket record 538) with the actualoutcomes of the corresponding events and determines if the player haswon the bet made on the ticket. If, according to the rules for theon-line game, the player has won the bet, the Ticket Status field in theticket record 538 is updated by changing the ticket status to“Winner-Not Redeemed”. If the player has lost the bet, then the TicketStatus field in the ticket record 538 is updated by changing the ticketstatus to “Not a Winner”. If a ticket record 538 identifies thecompleted event in its Maturation Event field, but some of the otherevents have not been completed when on-line game checking program isexecuted, then one of the Maturation Event field is changed to identifyone of the uncompleted events. If the expected ending time of theuncompleted events can be estimated, then the event with the latestexpected ending time is identified in the Maturation Event field. Theticket status for tickets that do not mature with the completion of thecompleted event is not changed.

The on-line game ticket checking program will check each ticket thatmatured with the completion of the completed event in turn. Referring toFIG. 6 b, four tickets in the Sports Line Ticket Table for List 8845become mature with the completion of event 43: tickets SL2, SL3, SL4 andSL6.

In the present example, the bet made by the player (Karina Jones) onticket SL3 is based on four events: event 17, event 18, event 45 andevent 60 set out for the Sports Line on-line game in List 8845. Theactual outcome for event 60 is a Home Wine, according to the rules forthe Sports Line on-line game, as described above at step 2404. For thepurposes of the present example, it is assumed that the actual outcomesof the other events are as follows: Event 17—Visitor Win; Event 18—HomeWin; and Event 45—Visitor Win. After events 17, 18 and 45, method 2400would have been carried out. However, ticket SL3 would not be checked instep 2406 after those events, since the ticket did not mature with thecompletion of any of those events. In both cases, the ticket statuswould have been left as “Events Not Complete”.

With the completion of event 60, ticket SL3 matures and the on-line gameticket checking program checks ticket SL3 during step 2406. The on-linegame ticket checking program compares the prediction set for the on-linegame ticket with the actual outcomes of the corresponding events, withthe result that the player correctly predicted the outcome of eachevent. The player has won the bet on ticket SL3. The ticket checkingprogram changes the Ticket Status field to “Winner-Not Redeemed”. Theplayer is entitled to redeem the on-line game ticket for the PayoutValue of $124.80.

Similarly, the ticket checking program checks tickets SL2, SL4 and SL6and changes their Ticket Status fields to “Winner-Not Redeemed” or “Nota Winner”. When all the tickets maturing with the completion of event 60has been checked by the on-line game ticket checking program, method2400 ends.

Event 60 in the Sports Line on-line game is also an event in theOver/Under on-line game. In the present exemplary embodiment, method2400 is carried out separately in relation to the Over/Under on-linegame after the completion of each event for that on-line game. In analternative embodiment, a lottery operator may combine the processes ofchecking tickets for different on-line games, particularly if theon-line games are based on the same events.

Method 2400 allows a lottery operator to update an event record 534 fora completed event and to update the ticket record 538 for each ticketthat matures with the completion of the event. In the presentembodiment, a lottery operator may choose to perform method 2400 afterthe completion of each event, without regard for the completion of otherevents.

In another embodiment, a lottery operator may choose to perform steps2402 and 2404 in respect of two or more events, and then perform method2406 in respect of each of the events. For example, a lottery operatormay allow a group of events (such a group of sports events held on aparticular day) to be completed and update the event record for each ofthe events based on the outcome of each event. After the group of eventsis complete, the lottery operator may perform step 2406 in respect ofall of the events by configuring the ticket checking program to checkany ticket that matures with any event in the set. This allows thelottery operator to determine the results for all tickets that maturedwith the completion of one or more the events in the group (i.e. alltickets that matured on a particular day) and to update the ticketrecords for each of the tickets.

In another system, on-line game ticket records may have a MaturationDate field rather than a Maturation Event field. The lottery operatorwaits until all events on a particular day are complete and updates theevent records for each such event, effectively performing steps 2402 and2404 in respect of each event. Subsequently, the lottery operatorperforms step 2406 and configures the on-line game ticket checkingprogram to check each ticket that matures on the particular day.

System 100 and other embodiments described above allow players topurchase tickets for on-line lotteries and on-line game and have thosetickets associated the player's account with a lottery operator. Variousmethods have been described for allowing a player to identify theplayer's account when purchasing a ticket and for associating the ticketwith the player's account.

Reference is next made to FIG. 19, which illustrates method 2600. Method2600 allows a player to access the lottery computer system 102 (FIG. 1)to obtain information about tickets associated with the player'saccount.

Method 2600 begins in step 2602 in which a player uses a player terminal106 to access the player account server 162 and to request access to anaccount checking service. The player uses a player terminal 106 tocommunicate with a player interface 166 to allow the player to obtaininformation stored in the lottery database 160. Method 2600 will bedescribed by way of example with reference to the exemplary playeraccount for Karina Jones. Karina Jones uses player terminal 106 c toaccess the player account server 162. Player terminal 106 c is apersonal computer coupled to public network 110 and is configured with aweb browser capable of displaying web pages, including web pagesprovided by player website 167 a (FIG. 1).

Karina Jones accesses by entering her account identification code andpassword on the welcome web page 602 (FIG. 8) of the player website 167a, as is described above in relation to step 3002 of method 3000 andpresses “Enter”.

Method 2600 then proceeds to decision step 2604. In step 2604, theplayer account server 162 attempts to authenticate the accountidentification code and account password entered by the player in step2602. If a player account record 514 matching the entered accountidentification code and account password exists in the player accounttable 512 (FIGS. 6 a and 6 b), then the account identification code andpassword are authentic and method 2600 proceeds to step 2608. Otherwise,method 2600 proceeds to step 2606.

In step 2606, an error message is displayed on the player terminal 106indicating that the player has entered an invalid account identificationcode or an invalid password (or both). Method 2600 then ends.

In step 2608, the player is provided with an opportunity to use variousservices, including an account checking service. The player chooses theaccount checking service, which allows the player to obtain informationrelating to the player's tickets. The player account server 162 obtainsinformation about the player's tickets from the lottery database 160.The player account server 162 transmits information about the player'stickets to the player terminal 106 using the player interface with whichthe player terminal 106 is communicating. The information transmitted tothe player terminal 106 is displayed for the player to view.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the player interface 166 providesseveral types of reports to a player about tickets associated with theplayer's account. Each report is based on information recorded in thelottery database 160. The different report information about theplayer's account and the player's tickets in varying levels of detail.The player account server 162 extracts detailed information aboutindividual tickets from the lottery database 160 and provides detailedticket status reports. The player account server also provides anaccount summary report which includes summary information about theplayer's tickets and summary information about individual tickets. Someof the information provided by the player account server 162 may becalculated based on information recorded in the lottery database 160.

In the present example, the player interface 166 a formats the reportsso that they are suitable for display in a web browser operating onSonia Smith's player terminal 106 c. The player interface then transmitsthe formatted report to the player terminal where it is displayed.

Reference is next made to FIG. 20, which illustrates an on-line lotteryticket summary report 700 for the exemplary player account for KarinaJones. Account summary report 700 is displayed by the web browser on theplayer's terminal after she accesses the player account server asdescribed above in steps 2602 and 2604.

Player interface 166 a generates on-line lottery ticket summary report700 as a web page based on the contents of the lottery database 160 atthe time account summary report 700 is displayed.

On the account summary report 700, the date and time that accountsummary report 700 was generated is set out at 702. The player's accountidentification code is set out at 704. The account information page 700includes an account summary section 706 and a ticket summary section708.

In the account summary section 706, various information relating to theplayer's account and to tickets associated with the player's account isset out. In the present exemplary account information page 700, theprizes won by the player in on-line lotteries and on-line games aresummarized. The summary indicates that the player has unredeemed prizesand has won prizes on tickets with draws remaining. The summary alsoprovides information about on-line game tickets.

The information presented on the account summary report 700 iscalculated based on information about the player's account and theplayer's tickets extracted from the lottery database 160. The PlayerTicket List field in the player account record 514 for the player'saccount is used to identify the player's tickets. The correspondingon-line lottery ticket records 524 (FIG. 6 a) and on-line game ticketrecords 538 (FIG. 6 b) are reviewed to determine what prizes, if any,the player's tickets have won, if any draws or events are remaining forthe tickets and which, if any, prizes have been redeemed. The playerinterface 166 a calculates the summary values presented in the accountsummary section 706 based on the extracted data.

In the ticket summary section 708, information about each of the on-linelottery tickets associated with the player's account is set out.

The player may view an on-line game ticket summary page (not shown) byclicking on the “Click here to see results for your on-line gametickets” button 760.

In the present embodiment, the lottery operator allows winning ticketsto be redeemed within one year of the on-line lottery draw or on-linegame events that the ticket relates to. After the one year period, aticket becomes expired and invalid. The account summary section 706 andthe ticket summary section 708 include information relating to the validtickets associated with the player's account.

While viewing an on-line lottery ticket summary report or an on-linegame ticket summary report, a player may use method 3200 (FIG. 21) toobtain a prize redemption voucher.

A player may also be able to obtain detailed information about ticketslisted in the ticket summary reports. Examples of detailed ticket statusreports are illustrated in PCT Application No. PCT/CA2006/000270.Detailed ticket status reports for winning tickets may include a buttonto select the winning ticket to be added to a prize redemption voucher.

While using the account checking service, a player may view informationabout the player's account as permitted by the lottery operator. Theplayer may navigate between different reports, depending on the optionsprovided by the lottery operator. When the player has finished accessingthe player's account, method 2600 ends.

Reference is made to FIG. 21, which illustrates a method 3200 by which aplayer can generate a prize redemption voucher 133. A player may usemethod 3200 during step 2608. Method 3200 will be explained withreference to player Karina Jones creating a prize redemption voucher toclaim prizes for several tickets.

Method 3200 begins in step 3202 in which a player selects one or moretickets for which to create a prize redemption voucher 133. Ticketsummary section 708 identifies two unredeemed winning tickets that donot have any draws remaining. The player may redeem these winningtickets for the corresponding prizes. Each winning ticket that may beredeemed has a prize redemption voucher selection box 762 adjacent tothe prize won by the ticket. The player clicks the corresponding prizeredemption voucher selection box 762 for each ticket that the playerwishes to redeem with a prize redemption voucher. In FIG. 20, the playerhas chosen to redeem both unclaimed prizes. Alternatively, the playermay have selected only one of the unredeemed winning tickets if theplayer preferred to obtain a prize redemption voucher for only one ofthe tickets. When the player has selected the prizes the player wishesto redeem, the player clicks on the “Generate Prize Redemption Voucher”button 764.

Method 3200 proceeds to step 3204, in which a Prize Redemption Request3220 (FIG. 1) is transmitted from the player's terminal to the playeraccount server 162. The Prize Redemption Voucher Request 3220 identifiesthe tickets for which the player wishes to generate a prize redemptionvoucher. In this example, the Prize Redemption Voucher Requestidentifies the following tickets: Lotto 7/47 ticket 5933-2245-5896-5987and KENO ticket 5254-0258-9963-1912. The Prize Redemption VoucherRequest is transmitted from Karina Jones' player terminal 106 c to theplayer interface 166 a.

Method 3200 proceeds to step 3206, in which the prize redemption voucherrequested by the player is added to the lottery database 160. The playeraccount server 162 adds a new prize redemption voucher record 572 (FIG.6 a) to the prize redemption voucher table 570. The player accountserver also identifies the new prize redemption voucher in the playeraccount record 514 for the player's account and in the ticket record 524(FIG. 6 b or 6 c) for which the prize redemption voucher is requested.

In this example, the player account server 162 creates prize redemptionvoucher record 577 (FIG. 6 a), which has the following contents:

Field Information recorded in field PR Voucher Code P9875-7829-83-29Player account ID KARINA1022 code Winning Ticket List5933-2245-5896-5987 5254-0258-9963-1912 Total Prize $20

Player account server 162 also adds the new voucher to the Player PrizeRedemption Voucher List in the player record 514 for Karina Jones'player account. The Player account server 162 also adds the new voucherto the Associated Prize Redemption Voucher field in the ticket record524 for both of the tickets selected by the player.

Method 3200 then proceeds to step 3208, in which the player accountserver transmits a prize redemption voucher 133 (FIG. 1) to the playerterminal from which the Prize Redemption Voucher Request 3220 originatedin step 3204 and in which a paper copy of the prize redemption voucheris printed at the player's terminal (or another device) by the player.The prize redemption voucher includes the prize redemption voucher codein a form or version suitable for scanning at a ticket vending terminal104.

In addition to generating the prize redemption voucher, the playeraccount server may also generate a version of the prize redemptionvoucher that is suitable for display at the player terminal from whichthe Prize Redemption Voucher Request 3220 was received. This version maybe generated by the player interface 166 that is communicating with theplayer terminal 106. For example, “dumb” player terminals (for example adevice connected via a telnet connection) may simply receive and displaytext from a player interface and may just detect and transmit keystrokesand other input from the player to the player interface. A playerinterface for such a dumb terminal may transmit text corresponding tothe prize redemption voucher to the player terminal. The text mayinclude instructions for the player to download the prize redemptionvoucher, which the player can then print at his player terminal or atanother device. When the player follows the instructions, the prizeredemption voucher is transmitted to the player.

In the Karina Jones example, the player is communicating with playerinterface 166 a, which controls the display of webpages from playerwebsite 167 a on her player terminal 106 c. Player interface 166 agenerates a webpage that includes information corresponding to the prizeredemption voucher (which will generally include text setting out someor all of the contents of the prize redemption voucher). The webpage istransmitted to the player interface where it is displayed. The webpageincludes a “Print Prize Redemption Voucher” button. When the playerclicks the button, the voucher is transmitted to the player interfaceand player can print the voucher at the player terminal or at anotherdevice. In other embodiments, the voucher may be transmitted to theplayer terminal before the player clicks the button.

FIG. 22 illustrates an example prize redemption voucher 3224 for theKarina Jones example. Prize redemption voucher 3224 has a prizeredemption voucher information section 3226 and a prize redemptionvoucher code section 3228. Information about the prize redemptionvoucher and the tickets associated with the prize redemption voucher isset out in the prize redemption voucher information section 3226. Noparticular is needed in this section and it may contain any informationthe lottery operator chooses. In this example, the prize redemptionvoucher information section includes the player's account identificationcode, the total prize for tickets associated with the prize redemptionvoucher and a list of the associated tickets. Prize redemption vouchercode section 3228 includes the prize redemption voucher code in amachine readable form at 3230. Optionally, the prize redemption vouchercode may also be set out on the prize redemption voucher in a humanreadable, as is illustrated in prize redemption voucher code section3228.

In another embodiment, the prize redemption voucher may be transmittedto the player without any additional version of it. The player terminalmay be able to display the voucher in addition to printing it. In someembodiments, the player may only be able to print the voucher withoutseeing a display of it.

Method 3000 then ends.

Reference is next made to FIG. 23, which illustrates a method 3300 bywhich a player may use a ticket purchase voucher 133 to redeem prizesfor one or more tickets.

Method 3300 begins in step 3302, in which the prize redemption voucher133 is scanned at a ticket vending terminal 104. A player may give theprize redemption voucher 133 to a ticket vendor who then scans the prizeredemption voucher code at a ticket vending terminal. Alternatively, theplayer may scan the prize redemption voucher code using a playeroperated ticket vending terminal.

Method 3300 then proceeds to step 3304, in which the ticket vendingterminal 104 transmits a Prize Redemption Voucher Redemption Request3320 to the ticket server 164. The Prize Redemption Voucher RedemptionRequest 3320 identifies the prize redemption voucher code 3230 of theprize redemption voucher.

Method 3300 next proceeds to decision step 3306. In step 3306 the ticketserver 164 checks the Ticket Status fields of all tickets associatedwith the prize redemption voucher. If all of the tickets have a statusof “Winner-Not Redeemed”, method 3300 proceeds to step 3310. Otherwise,method 3300 proceeds to step 3308.

In some embodiments, the lottery operator may not permit tickets thatare associated with a prize redemption voucher to be redeemedindependently. In such embodiments, step 3300 may optionally be omitted.Step 3300 ensures that in embodiments where it is possible to redeem anindividual ticket by presenting the corresponding ticket receipt to aticket vendor or at a player operated ticket vending terminal even ifthe ticket is associated with a prize redemption voucher, the sameticket is not redeemed twice—one individually and once as part of aprize redemption voucher redemption.

Optionally, the ticket server 164 may also conduct other checks beforedeciding to proceed to step 3310. For example, a lottery operator mayset an expiry time for a prize redemption voucher. For example a prizeredemption voucher may be valid for only a week after it is created.After that time, the prize redemption voucher record for the prizeredemption voucher is marked as expired or removed from the lotterydatabase. In such an embodiment, the ticket server 164 will ensure thatthe prize redemption voucher is still valid before proceeding to step3310. If the prize redemption voucher cannot be used for any reason,method 3300 moves to step 3308.

In step 3308, the ticket server transmits a Redemption Rejected Message(not shown) to the ticket vending terminal from which the PrizeRedemption Voucher Request 3320 originated in step 3304. Method 3300then ends.

In step 3310, the ticket server 164 changes the Ticket Status field forall tickets associated with the prize redemption voucher to“Winner-Redeemed”.

Method 3300 then proceeds to step 3312, in which the ticket server 164transmits a Redemption Confirmation Message 3322 to the ticket vendingterminal from which the Prize Redemption Voucher Request 3320 originatedin step 3304.

Method 3300 then proceeds to step 3314, in which the player receives thetotal prize for all tickets associated with the prize redemption voucher133.

If the ticket vending terminal 104 is operated by a ticket vendor, theticket vending terminal displays a prize payment authorization messageto the ticket vendor in response to the Redemption Confirmation Message3322. The prize payment authorization message may set out the totalamount of the prize to be paid to the player. The ticket vendor pays thetotal prize to the player. If the prizes to be given to the playerincludes any merchandise, free ticket or other non-cash prizes, theticket vending terminal also provides such prizes to the player.

If the ticket vending terminal 104 is operated by a player, the ticketvending terminal provides the prizes for tickets associated with prizeredemption voucher to the player. The ticket vending terminal may allowthe player to obtain any free ticket prizes and any prizes the ticketvending terminal is able to deliver. For example, if the ticket vendingterminal is configured to distribute cash, the ticket vending terminalmay pay a cash prize to the player. Alternatively, the ticket vendingterminal may provide the player with a coupon or coupons to obtain anycash or merchandise prizes from a clerk or other person at the locationwhere the player operated ticket vending terminal is installed.

In an embodiment in which a player is able to associate a paymentservice with the player's account, the ticket server may pay any cashprize to the player by depositing the prize amount to the paymentservice.

When the player has received the prizes for tickets associated with theprize redemption voucher, method 3300 ends.

Methods 3200 and 3300 allow a player to obtain a prize redemptionvoucher 133 and redeem tickets using the prize redemption voucher. Thesemethods may be used to redeem prizes for any winning tickets associatedwith a player account, regardless of the method by which the ticket isassociated with the player account.

Method 3200 and 3300 are described above in an exemplary manner inrelation to on-line lottery tickets. The methods may also be used toobtain a prize redemption voucher associated with on-line game ticketsand to obtain prizes won on on-line game tickets. In some embodiments, aplayer may be able to select two or more winning tickets identified ondifferent screens while accessing the ticket checking service. Eachselected winning ticket is recorded and after selecting the winningtickets, the player may obtain a prize redemption voucher for all of theselected tickets. Any method of identifying the tickets may be used.

In some embodiments, the lottery operator may set limits on the prizesthat may be claimed with a prize redemption voucher. For example, thelottery operator may limit the total cash value of the prizes to somemaximum dollar amount. In some embodiments, the lottery operator mayallow only cash prizes to be redeemed with a prize redemption voucher.In other embodiments, the lottery operator may allow only cash a freeticket prizes to be redeemed with a prize redemption voucher.

In some embodiments, in step 3208 of method 3200, the player accountserver provides a version of the prize redemption voucher in which theprize redemption voucher code may be displayed on the screen of aportable player terminal such as a PDA or cell phone. For example, aversion of the prize redemption voucher may be provided which displaysthe prize redemption voucher code as a bar code on the screen. Theplayer may be able to store the prize redemption voucher in the portableplayer terminal. The player may then purchase tickets by displaying theprize redemption voucher on the screen of the portable player terminaland scanning the displayed bar code at a ticket vending terminal orallowing a ticket vendor to do so during step 3302.

In other embodiments, a ticket vending terminal may be configured toreceive a prize redemption voucher code through a radio frequency oroptical signal. For example, in step 3208, the player account server mayprovide a prize redemption voucher code in a numeric form or a codedform that can be transmitted by a portable player terminal. The prizeredemption voucher code may be stored on the portable player terminal.During step 3302, the player may cause the portable player terminal totransmit a radio frequency or optical signal (such as an infra-redsignal) including the prize redemption voucher code to a ticket vendingterminal with a corresponding receiver. In other embodiments, the playermay physically couple the portable player terminal to the ticket vendingterminal with a cable and may transmit an electronic signal includingthe prize redemption voucher code.

Any other method may be used to input a prize redemption voucher codeinto a ticket vending terminal. For example, in some embodiments, aplayer or ticket vendor may be able to manually enter a prize redemptionvoucher code into a ticket vending terminal using a keypad.

In method 3300 described above, a player is able to redeem winningtickets without presenting ticket receipts for the winning tickets aticket vendor, or without scanning the winning ticket receipts at aplayer operated ticket vending terminal. In other embodiments, theplayer may be required to produce the winning ticket receipts. Forexample, the lottery operator may require that ticket receipts for allwinning tickets associated with a prize redemption voucher must bescanned at a ticket vending terminal contemporaneously with the prizeredemption voucher before the prizes for the winning tickets will beawarded to a player.

In any particular embodiment, a lottery operator may offer only on-linelotteries or on-line game or may offer both on-line lotteries andon-line game.

Several embodiments of the invention have been described. In addition,numerous alternatives embodiments and additional features of theinvention have been described. A particular lottery operator may combinethe various embodiments and features to develop other embodiments thatutilize the inventions and fall within the scope of the following claims

1. A method of redeeming a ticket, the method comprising: creating aplayer account for a player; associating a plurality of tickets with theplayer account; identifying some of the tickets as winning tickets;issuing a prize redemption voucher containing a prize redemption vouchercode, wherein one or more winning tickets are associated with the prizeredemption voucher; receiving, from a ticket vending terminal, the prizeredemption voucher code; and authorizing redemption of the winningtickets in response to receiving the prize redemption voucher code. 2.The method of claim 1 wherein authorizing redemption of the winningtickets includes identifying the winning tickets as redeemed.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 wherein authorizing redemption of the winning ticketincludes determining if the winning tickets can be redeemed.
 4. Themethod of claim 1 further including: providing the player with access toa ticket checking service by: displaying information about one or moreticket associated with the player account, including one or more winningtickets; allowing the player to select one or more of the displayedwinning tickets; and associating the selected winning tickets with theprize redemption voucher.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the ticketchecking service is provided to the player at a player terminal.
 6. Themethod of claim 4 wherein providing the ticket checking serviceincludes: displaying an account summary report that includes informationabout a plurality of tickets associated with the account; and allowingthe player to select winning tickets from the account summary report. 7.The method of claim 1 wherein issuing a prize redemption voucherincludes: displaying information about one or more of the winningtickets to the player; allowing the player to select one or more of thewinning tickets; issuing the prize redemption voucher, wherein theselected winning tickets are associated with the prize redemptionvoucher.
 8. The method of claim 1 further including: selling a pluralityof tickets to the player, wherein at least some of the tickets are soldby: recording information about a ticket purchase voucher, wherein therecorded information includes a ticket purchase voucher code andinformation about one or more proposed tickets; issuing the ticketpurchase voucher to the player; receiving the ticket purchase vouchercode from a ticket vending terminal; issuing each of the proposedtickets and associating each of the issued tickets with the playeraccount.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein further including: providing aform of the ticket purchase voucher code suitable for recording in aportable player terminal; at a ticket vending terminal, receiving theticket purchase voucher code from the portable player terminal; andreceiving the ticket purchase voucher code from the portable playerterminal.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein further including: providinga form of the ticket purchase voucher code suitable for display on aportable player terminal; at a ticket vending terminal, scanning theticket purchase voucher code from a display of the portable playerterminal; and receiving the ticket purchase voucher code from theportable player terminal.
 11. The method of claim 1 further including:selling a plurality of tickets to the player, wherein at least some ofthe tickets are sold by: issuing an account identification device to theplayer; receiving a ticket purchase request from a ticket vendingterminal, wherein the ticket purchase request includes a deviceidentifier corresponding to the account identification device; andissuing a ticket in response to the ticket purchase request.
 12. Themethod of claim 1 further including: selling a plurality of tickets tothe player, wherein at least some of the tickets are sold by: providingthe player with access to a ticket purchase web page; allowing theplayer to select options for a ticket; and issuing the ticket to theplayer.
 13. The method of claim 1 wherein the tickets are on-linelottery tickets.
 14. The method of claim 1 wherein the tickets areon-line game tickets.
 15. A method of redeeming a ticket, the methodcomprising: receiving a prize redemption voucher from a player; scanninga prize redemption voucher code on the prize redemption voucher using aticket vending terminal, wherein the ticket vending terminal is adaptedto transmit a prize redemption voucher redemption request to a lotterycomputer system; receiving a redemption confirmation message from thelottery computer system; and giving the player prizes associated withone or more winning tickets associated with the prize redemptionvoucher.
 16. A system for redeeming tickets comprising: a lotterycomputer system having: a lottery database for: storing informationabout a plurality of player accounts; storing information about aplurality of tickets, wherein at least some of the tickets areassociated with some of the player accounts; and storing informationabout one or more ticket redemption vouchers, wherein one or more of thetickets is associated with each ticket redemption voucher.
 17. Thesystem of claim 16 wherein the lottery computer system further includesa player account server for receiving prize redemption voucher requestsand for recording information about new prize redemption vouchers to thelottery database.
 18. The system of claim 16 wherein the lotterycomputer system further includes: a ticket server for receiving prizeredemption voucher redemption requests from a ticket vending terminaland for transmitting redemption confirmation messages to the ticketvending terminal in response to the prize redemption voucher redemptionrequests.
 19. The system of claim 18 wherein the ticket server isadapted to mark tickets associated with a particular prize redemptionvoucher as redeemed in conjunction with transmitting a redemptionconfirmation message in relation to the particular prize redemptionvoucher.
 20. The system of claim 16 wherein the lottery computer systemfurther includes: a plurality of ticket vending terminals coupled to thelottery computer system, wherein at least some of the ticket vendingterminals are adapted to scan a prize redemption voucher code from aprize redemption voucher and to transmit a prize redemption voucherredemption request corresponding to the prize redemption voucher to theticket server.